Future risk management challenges

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

This horizontal bar graph identifies the top 15 challenges facing risk managers and the relative importance of the challenge to these risk managers.  The results in the graph are based on a survey of 387 companies.  Companies surveyed ranged in size from at least $500 million in revenues to more than $5 billion.  European, North America, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific companies were surveyed.

The survey was conducted in 2011 by the US Company Accenture and the results are reported in their study “Global Risk Management Study”.   You can read this study by clicking here. (PDF file)

Results on the graph and in the study should help companies make decisions on improving their management of risks.

Most used systems for knowledge management

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

This graph identifies 11 of the most frequently used tools to manage information (knowledge) in 141 law firms and corporate law departments.  This identification is found in a survey of these organizations conducted by the International Legal Technology Association.  All survey results can be found in the report titled “Knowledge Management: Bridging People, Information and Processes”.   This report can be accessed by clicking here.

The respondents were asked to identify which of 25 “knowledge management” tools were being used in their organizations.  The 11 tools getting the most responses are shown on the graph.  The numbers shown represent a ranking of the tools used based on a tool's responses divided by the total responses for all 11 tools.

Although the survey was conducted on a specific business function (law firms and corporate law offices), the results likely reflect the preferred knowledge (information) management tools many organizations would choose (need) where knowledge management is a high priority.

Percentage of European organizations that use lean management techniques

The chart below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The pie chart shows the percentages of European organizations that are using lean management techniques (57%), are planning to use lean management techniques (20%), or have no plans to use lean management techniques (23%).  The percentages are based on data collected by a survey conducted by Allied Consultants Europe.  The survey received 771 responses from European organizations.

The results of this survey can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

The results also how how extensive companies use various lean management techniques compared to their performance ratings.   Ratings include delivery rate, reject/complaint rate, and others.   Lean management techniques measured include pull systems, flow, waste reduction techniques, and others.

Barriers to total quality management

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows a result of a survey of quality control managers on barriers to successful total quality management (TQM).   188 managers ranked 21 statements, on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being completely true), as to the truthfulness of the statement.  Each statement represents a potential barrier to TQM.  The 5 statements with the highest average responses are shown in the graph.

The details on the survey and other survey conclusions can be read by clicking here (PDF file).  The survey was conducted by Rose Sebastianelli and Nabil Tamini.

The survey should help companies to decide on steps to increase quality.

Causes of motivation problems on a project team

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows eight problems that can be associated with motivation on a project team.   A survey was taken of 118 project managers asking them to identify what problem listed in the graph can usually be attributed to motivational problems on a project team.  The graph shows the percentage of the responses for each problem.

The survey was conducted by Bernhard Schmid and Jonathan Adams. The results of the survey can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

The problem list, and the weight project managers assign to the likelihood that events on the list will be a problem, could help managers be alert to problems that can develop in their team (group).

The survey is one of several that this Project Management Institute posts on its website.  Click here to gain access to this survey.

Remuneration/revenue trends – US versus Europe

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

This line graph shows the percentages that employee remuneration is of total company revenue for five years, 2004 to 2009, for United States companies and for European companies.  Remuneration is total compensation plus benefits.

Although the United States data shows a significant decline in the percentage from 2008 to 2009, the United States has on average a 6% better remuneration for employees, as a percentage of revenues, than Europe.

Also, the substantive decrease in remuneration percentage from 2008 to 2009 (5.5%) for the United States versus a slight increase for Europe (0.3%) might show that United States companies can more readily adjust to adversity (e.g., the world-wide financial problems around 2009).

Data in the graph was obtained from the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ study “Managing People in a Changing World – Key Trends in Human Capital – A Global Perspective” published in 2010.  You can read this study by clicking here.

Trends in auditing responsibilities

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

This horizontal bar graph shows the trends in internal audit responsibilities (tasks) based on a survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.  PriceWaterhouseCoopers conducted a survey of the chief audit executives at Fortune 250 companies.

Part of the survey asked respondents to identify internal auditing tasks (functions) that would require increased internal auditing responsibilities.  The graph shows that 90% of the respondents believed that continuous auditing or monitoring would require increased internal auditing responsibilities over the next five years.  Response percentages are as shown on the graph for other responsibilities

This data was taken from a PriceWaterhouseCoopers publication entitled “Internal Audit 2012 – A Study Examining the Future of Internal Auditing and the Potential Decline of Controls-centric Approach”.  You can read this publication by clicking here (PDF file).