The probability of occurrence for an opportunity may be increased by focusing attention on…
PMBOK v8 Definition
The enhance strategy is used to increase the probability and/or impact of an opportunity. The probability of occurrence for an opportunity may be increased by focusing attention on its causes. Where it is not possible to increase probability, an enhancement response might increase the impact by targeting factors that drive the size of the potential benefit. Examples of enhancing opportunities include adding more resources to an activity to finish early.
Why It Matters for the Exam
This concept is frequently tested in PMI exam questions on risk response planning for opportunities, specifically within the "Plan Risk Responses" process. Questions often ask you to distinguish between the four positive risk response strategies (Exploit, Enhance, Share, and Accept) and identify which strategy applies when you are actively working to increase the probability or impact of an opportunity.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Definition of Enhance: The strategy used to increase the probability and/or impact of an opportunity.
- Mechanism for Probability: Focus attention on the causes of the opportunity to increase its likelihood of occurrence.
- Mechanism for Impact: If probability cannot be increased, target factors that drive the size of the potential benefit.
- Timing Principle: Early enhancement action is often more effective than trying to improve the benefit after the opportunity has occurred.
- Concrete Example: Adding more resources to an activity to finish early is a classic example of enhancing an opportunity.
- Distinction from Exploit: Enhance increases probability/impact; Exploit seeks to make the opportunity definitely happen (probability to 100%).
- Distinction from Accept: Accept acknowledges the opportunity but takes no proactive action; Enhance takes deliberate proactive action.
Typical PMI Exam Example
A project team identifies that completing a critical path activity two weeks early could allow the client to launch a product sooner, generating additional revenue. The project manager decides to assign two additional team members to this activity to increase the chance of early completion. This is an example of which risk response strategy? Answer: Enhance.
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Confusing Enhance with Exploit when the goal is to increase probability.
- Reality: Enhance increases probability or impact but does not guarantee occurrence (probability < 100%). Exploit ensures the opportunity happens (probability = 100%).
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Trap: Thinking that Enhance only applies to probability.
- Reality: Enhance can increase either probability OR impact, or both. If probability cannot be increased, focus on increasing impact.
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Trap: Confusing Enhance with Share when resources are added.
- Reality: Share involves allocating ownership to a third party (e.g., joint venture). Enhance keeps ownership with the project team and adds resources internally.
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Trap: Assuming Accept is appropriate for high-priority opportunities.
- Reality: Accept is for low-priority opportunities. High-priority opportunities should be Exploited, Enhanced, or Shared.
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit | Opposing strategy | Exploit aims for 100% probability; Enhance aims for increased but not guaranteed probability |
| Accept | Contrasting strategy | Accept takes no proactive action; Enhance takes deliberate proactive action |
| Share | Alternative strategy | Share transfers ownership to third party; Enhance retains ownership within project team |
| Risk Register | Output of Plan Risk Responses | All response strategies (including Enhance) are documented in the risk register |
Quick Review Questions
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A project manager identifies that adding two experienced developers to a sprint could increase the chance of delivering a key feature ahead of schedule. Which risk response strategy is being applied?
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If it is not possible to increase the probability of an opportunity, what alternative approach does the Enhance strategy offer?
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A project team decides to form a joint venture with a partner company to capture a market opportunity. Is this Enhance or Share? Why?
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For which priority level of opportunities is the Accept strategy typically appropriate, and how does this differ from the Enhance strategy?
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A project manager assigns additional resources to an activity to increase the chance of early completion. The probability of early completion increases from 40% to 70%. Is this Enhance or Exploit? Explain.
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 11.5 - Plan Risk Responses (Risk Management Knowledge Area, Planning Process Group)