Foundations of Risk Management

Gain a strong understanding of core risk management principles, focusing specifically on how risks affect video game development. Learn how risks related to technology, finances, and team dynamics can impact timelines and project scope.

Build Risk Communication Skills

Master the art of risk communication. Develop strategies to communicate risks effectively to stakeholders, including how to draft clear and comprehensive risk reports and deliver presentations that keep your team informed and prepared for any potential issues.

Risk Assessment Tools

Develop your proficiency with industry-standard risk assessment tools such as risk matrices and probability-impact charts. Learn how to prioritize risks by their severity and likelihood, and gain the ability to make informed decisions on resource allocation to minimize project threats.

Identifying Key Risk Factors

Learn to identify the unique risks present at each stage of the game development lifecycle, from pre-production through post-launch. Analyze how technical issues, budget constraints, and team management can become significant risk factors in both small indie and large-scale AAA projects.

Risk Frameworks and Strategies

Explore various risk management frameworks that you can implement to effectively mitigate common risks, including legal, financial, and technical challenges. From crisis management to preventive strategies, you’ll learn how to prepare for unforeseen challenges and adapt quickly when they arise.

Crisis Management Techniques

Understand how to manage materialized risks by implementing effective crisis management strategies. Through case studies and simulations, you’ll practice responding to crisis scenarios and learn how to reduce their impact on project timelines and costs.

The Three Levels of Focus

Dive deep into the project, program and portfolio levels of risk management. Learn how each level affects the lens through which you identify and mitigate risk and the communication empowerment within and across each.

Developing Comprehensive Risk Management Plans

Bring everything together by learning to create a thorough risk management plan. You’ll cover everything from identifying and assessing risks to mitigating and monitoring them over the course of your game development project. Submit your plan for peer review and receive actionable feedback.

Enroll Now!

Enroll now and take control of your project’s success with effective risk management strategies designed specifically for video game professionals!

Curriculum

14 Chapters · 70 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to Risk in Game Development

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Introduction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Course Objectives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Importance of Risk Management in Game Development

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Common Risk Factors in Video Game Projects

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the Three Levels of Risks

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the Lifecycle of Video Game Projects

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the Lifecycle of Risk Management

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Terminology in Risk Management

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Materials and Learning Support

  2. 2

    Identifying and Evaluating Risks

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Assessing Severity and Likelihood

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluating Impact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Risk Mapping Techniques

  3. 3

    What makes Game Dev Risks Different?

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      High Level

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Staffing

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Schedule and Budget

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Specification

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Change Management

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      External Partnerships

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Agile & Lean - and a pause

  4. 4

    How we implement Risk Management

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Six Stages of Implementing Risk Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Identify Risks

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Risk Categories

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Real Life Miro Examples

  5. 5

    Analysis, Assessment and Mitigation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Analyze and Assess Risks

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Develop Risk Mitigation Strategies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mitigation Types

  6. 6

    Implement and Track

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Stage 4

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Implement and Track Mitigation Actions

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Project Level Actions - Agile

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Project Level Actions - Lean

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Project Level Responses Example

  7. 7

    Reporting with the Risk Register

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 5

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Risk Register

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Standard Components

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Common Formats

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      By the Book Example

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Maintaining the Risk Register

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Common Pitfalls

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      RAIDs

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      RAIDs vs Risk Register

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Risk Register Example Walkthrough

  8. 8

    Communicating Risks to Stakeholders

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Step 6

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Importance of Effective Communication in Risk Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Strategies for Reporting Risk

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Drafting Risk Reports

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Empowering Everyone Through Risk Meetings

  9. 9

    Fostering a Proactive Risk Culture

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluating Risk Culture in Video Game Studios

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Best Practices for a Proactive Risk Environment

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Strategies for Cultural Change

  10. 10

    Crisis Management Strategies

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Implementing Crisis Management Strategies

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reacting to Materialized Risks: Case Studies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Simulations: Crisis Scenarios in Game Development

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lessons Learned from Crisis Management

  11. 11

    PART TWO: Specific Game Industry Management Topics

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

  12. 12

    Analyzing the GameDev Lifecycle

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Intro to the section

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Concept Stage

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Pre-Production

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Production

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Alpha

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Beta

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Release

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Post release

  13. 13

    Project, Program & Portfolio

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Three Lenses = 3 Overlapping Conversations

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Project Level

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Program Level

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Portfolio Level

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Interconnectivity between Levels

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Summary of Differences and Integration

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Using Kanbanize to illustrate the Three Lenses

  14. 14

    Conclusion and Course Wrap-Up

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Summary and Certificate

Risk Management in Video Game Development Already rated 4.78 out of 5 on Udemy by 167 students.

Welcome to "Risk Management in Video Game Development", your in-depth guide to mastering risk management in the fast-paced world of game development. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the gaming industry, this course will provide you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to identify, assess, and mitigate risks across all phases of game development—ensuring your projects are completed on time, within budget, and with minimal disruptions. Why Enroll? Whether you’re a game developer, producer, project manager, indie studio owner, or someone entering the gaming industry, this course will provide you with the tools and techniques needed to navigate the risks associated with game development. From initial concept to final launch, you’ll be able to confidently manage and mitigate risks, ensuring your projects run smoothly and successfully. Enroll now and take control of your project’s success with effective risk management strategies designed specifically for video game professionals!

Liam Wickham

I have been a lifelong learner, as well as a teacher, trainer and eLearning consultant. I have been fortunate enough to serve with the games industry as a Dev Support Manager, Head of Operations, General Manager, Dev Director, Senior Executive Producer, Chief of Staff, VP of Production and Chief Development Officer. I bring 30 years of experience across different industries, bringing that synergy of experience and foundational knowledge to you. I've worked at Sony PlayStation, Sumo Digital, Wargaming and other games companies, as well as for BT, the Foreign Office, Astra Zeneca and a bunch more outside of the gaming industry. My passion for teaching led me to create hours of podcasts and YouTube videos packed with useful material for game producers and others at Game Production Academy. I have deep foundational knowledge, backed up with accreditation across project and programme management, including: MSP Foundation & Practitioner | Scaled Agile, SAFE 4.0 Agilist Certification | PRINCE2 Certified Foundation & Practitioner | Enterprise Kanban Management Professional | Kanban Management Professional | Professional Scrum Product Owner / Scrum Master | MBA in Business Analytics, from OP Jindal Global University (pursuing online). Above and beyond the bio hype, I am a good listener and give good hugs. Please feel free to reach out directly if you ever want either or both of those.

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