II.2.14 Business Risks and Opportunities (RFP Section D13.2.14)

JVTeam's expansive program management experience will facilitate effective identification, understanding and mitigation of the risks involved with the introduction of a new TLD. JVTeam will bring to this process a proven, systematic approach to risk mitigation along with an intimate understanding of the DNS environment.

JVTeam was formed to succeed. However, experience dictates that success depends on understanding the project in its entirety which includes determining all areas of potential risk. JVTeam will continually evaluate potential risks and proactively monitor and address issues which could impact the overall successful and uninterrupted introduction of a new TLD. This section discusses our approaches to performing risk management, identifies specific risk areas, their implications, and our proposed risk mitigation strategy. We aim to minimize risk and maximize the opportunities that will benefit registrars, end users, and the Internet community as a whole. JVTeam understands that risk management should never be static as environments constantly change. JVTeam will not restrict risk management to currently identified problems. Instead, JVTeam will implement proven procedures and mechanisms for constantly identifying new potential areas of risk.

Our Approach

JVTeam's approach to risk management is disciplined, consistent, and iterative. We will anticipate potential risks and take preventative action, eliminating or mitigating the risk, to ensure no significant impact. Our risk management includes risk identification, risk quantification, and risk mitigation.

Risk Identification As we determine which risks are likely to affect the quality of our services, we will document their characteristics. Throughout the project lifecycle, we will continue to monitor and evaluate dependency issues and actively identify potential and emerging risks.

Risk Quantification Once we identify a risk, we will evaluate both its impact and likelihood of occurring. This approach feeds our development of an effective means to mitigate these risks.

Risk Mitigation JVTeam will analyze all risks on an ongoing basis and respond by identifying strategies to reduce or eliminate them. We will develop and document contingency plans and alternative strategies, and track all risk management activities via a process that ensures management attention and employee focus. JVTeam will also share and discuss risk mitigation strategies with ICANN as they arise.

The following tables outline risks that have been identified at this early stage and where in the proposal those risks are mitigated.

BUSINESS RISKS
Risk	Potential Impact	Mitigation
Lower than predicted demand for the new TLD.	Commercial failure of the TLD and/or the registry	Strategic and focused market analysis. (II.2.3) Continual assessment of actual and predicted volumes. Phased implementation of infrastructure to grow with demand. Effective channel management. (II.2.1) Stimulation of demand through an effective marketing plan. (II.2.4) Stimulation of demand through extended functionality made possible by the XRP. (III.2.2)
Lower than predicted demand for TLD renewals.	Commercial failure of the TLD and/or the registry.	Strategic and focused market analysis. (II.2.3) Effective and automated technical solution to the renewals process. (II.2.1) Continual innovation utilizing the XRP. Continually monitor user requirements and feed back into registry operations.
Registry is unable to deliver services in a timely manner.	End users will lose confidence in the registry and/or the TLD.	Effective project management. (IV.1) Staff who are experienced in delivering this sort of system on time. Experienced management team. (II.1.6) Use of a proven software development life cycle management methodology. (IV.1)
Failure to provide effective customer service.	Registrar business will be adversely affected due to longer resolution times for customer service issues.	JVTeam has extensive experience in operating according to stringent SLAs. (II.1.4) Comprehensive customer relations management program. (II.2.1) Experienced, dedicated account management. (II.2.1)