The client requirement for intelligence and insight defines our projects. But we can provide general guidance in terms of the focus and
direction of our assessment services.
direction of our assessment services.
Assessments
Premises
The wider premises underlying many Harmattan engagements are as follows.
First, the client's context is an essential element. When we assess risk, we need to
know "risk to what?" We seek to understand strategic ambitions, the principal assets
exposed in an operation or initiative, and how the operation could tangibly affect
the host environment.
Second we assume that there will be conditions in the operating environment which
affect nearly anyone irrespective of who they are. Once in a country or area, the
company, like anyone else, will be exposed to these "exogenous" risks.
We also assume that the operation will inspire a range of attitudes among diverse
stakeholder with some capability to affect the operation. Potential negative reactions
generate risk, while potential support can support operational resilience.
Finally, in most complex emerging markets, it is reasonable to assume that the risk
environment will shift over time as a result of broader external forces and major
changes in the socio-economic and political structure. Scenario analysis is therefore
necessary to try to foresee macro-level changes that the company should be ready
to adapt to.
The wider premises underlying many Harmattan engagements are as follows.
First, the client's context is an essential element. When we assess risk, we need to
know "risk to what?" We seek to understand strategic ambitions, the principal assets
exposed in an operation or initiative, and how the operation could tangibly affect
the host environment.
Second we assume that there will be conditions in the operating environment which
affect nearly anyone irrespective of who they are. Once in a country or area, the
company, like anyone else, will be exposed to these "exogenous" risks.
We also assume that the operation will inspire a range of attitudes among diverse
stakeholder with some capability to affect the operation. Potential negative reactions
generate risk, while potential support can support operational resilience.
Finally, in most complex emerging markets, it is reasonable to assume that the risk
environment will shift over time as a result of broader external forces and major
changes in the socio-economic and political structure. Scenario analysis is therefore
necessary to try to foresee macro-level changes that the company should be ready
to adapt to.
Indicative assessment services
From these premises, and also from their application at a global or regional
level, several types of assessment follow:
- Geo-political portfolio analysis: Assessing global corporate exposure to
political risk, identifying weak links and suggesting options for sustainable
global resilience
- Project risk review tailored for current and upcoming phases, focusing on
exogenous conditions and stakeholder reactions
- Stakeholder analysis: Attitudes, influence, and potential reactions of actors
who sense opportunity or threat from the operation and company presence
- Scenario analysis: Plausible 3 - 5 year futures, how each could develop, and
indicators of different stages of manifestation (from latent to emerging)
- Conflict analysis: Current tensions and friction points, how the operation
might exacerbate them, and the risks of inadvertently becoming a political
actor in a highly sensitive situation
From these premises, and also from their application at a global or regional
level, several types of assessment follow:
- Geo-political portfolio analysis: Assessing global corporate exposure to
political risk, identifying weak links and suggesting options for sustainable
global resilience
- Project risk review tailored for current and upcoming phases, focusing on
exogenous conditions and stakeholder reactions
- Stakeholder analysis: Attitudes, influence, and potential reactions of actors
who sense opportunity or threat from the operation and company presence
- Scenario analysis: Plausible 3 - 5 year futures, how each could develop, and
indicators of different stages of manifestation (from latent to emerging)
- Conflict analysis: Current tensions and friction points, how the operation
might exacerbate them, and the risks of inadvertently becoming a political
actor in a highly sensitive situation
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