UAH alumnus Dr. Christian Smart releases new book on project risk management

Dr. Christian B. Smart, an alumnus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, has authored a new book entitled "Solving for Project Risk Management: Understanding the Critical Role of Uncertainty in Project Management."

Dr. Smart earned his M.A. in mathematics 1994 and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics 1996, both at UAH. He has worked as a civil servant and consultant for defense and aerospace organizations for over 20 years. He served as the Director for Cost Analytics and Parametric Estimating for the Missile Defense Agency. In 2010 he received an Exceptional Public Service Medal from NASA for his integrated cost and schedule risk analysis of the Ares I launch vehicle program, as well as his support of the Augustine Commission’s Review of Human Spaceflight.

"Whatever the size or complexity of a project, the failure to manage it with diligence and know-how can – and often does – lead to devastating consequences for an organization," Dr. Smart notes.

His book is targeted for project managers, business analysts and senior decision makers in both the public and private sectors, helping to explain why standard cost and schedule management practices are often ineffectual, while offering extensive practical guidance on how to meet the challenges of risk management in today’s complex environment.

The book places a central emphasis on understanding the role of uncertainty, providing a comprehensive guide to help readers achieve project success by conducting risk management in the most effective manner possible.

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