What are program risks, issues, and opportunities?

A risk, issue, or opportunity can be associated with, and relevant to, any part of the plan (program, project, subproject, or event). Raising risks, issues, and opportunities allows the program management team to formulate a strategy to lessen the impact of risks and issues, and capitalize on opportunities.

Note: In the context of Program Planning, risks, issues, and opportunities are considered program risks, program issues, and program opportunities, irrespective of where they are associated on the actual plan. For example, you can create program risks on the program, on a project or subproject, or on an event. The name does not change based on the location it is associated with.

Terms

• Program Risks — Future events that can impact the success of a program either through cost, schedule, or performance.
• Program Issues — Risks that have occurred, are certain to occur, or issues specific to the plan level.
• Program Opportunities — Potential future benefits that may affect the program's cost, schedule, or performance.

Program Planning, 2606 — Unpublished work. © 2025 Siemens