Sunday, July 28, 2024

Why Does My Project Need a Steering Committee?

Why My Your Project Need a Steering Committee?

"Why does my project need a Steering Committee?

This question I get asked by senior executives more often than I would like. 

A Steering Committee (StC) is an essential element of any large transformation project organisation. 

Here are my top 10 reasons why.

1) Strategic Direction and Oversight: Your StC provides strategic guidance and oversight for projects or organisational initiatives, ensuring alignment with broader goals and objectives.

2) Decision-Making Authority: Your StC has the authority to make critical decisions that significantly impact the direction and success of your project. This includes approving budgets, resources, and major changes. 

3) Accountability: Your StC provides a structured governance framework that ensures accountability. Your StC monitors progress, sets performance metrics, and holds the project team accountable for meeting their objectives.

4) Risk Management: Your StC helps identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies. Your StC’s oversight ensures that risks are managed proactively and that the project remains on track.

5) Resource Allocation: Your StC ensures that resources (financial, human, and technological) are allocated efficiently and effectively, prioritising initiatives that provide the most value to the organisation.

6) Stakeholder Representation and Engagement: Your StC includes representatives from various stakeholder groups, ensuring that diverse perspectives and interests are considered in decision-making processes. Your StC members engage with other senior level stakeholders to remove barriers and get necessary support. 

7) Change Management: Your StC plays a crucial role in managing change, helping to navigate the complexities of organisational transitions and ensuring that changes are implemented smoothly.

8) Conflict Resolution: Your StC acts as an arbitrator for resolving conflicts and differences that arise during a project. Your StC’s authority and strategic perspective enable them to mediate effectively.

9) Policy and Compliance: Your StC ensures that projects comply with organisational policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements, thereby safeguarding the organisation from legal and reputational risks.

10) Facilitating Communication: Your StC facilitates communication between the project team and senior management, ensuring that critical information flows effectively and decisions are well-informed.

The importance of a StC lies in its ability to provide structured governance, strategic oversight, and effective decision-making, all of which are crucial for the successful delivery and alignment of the project with organisational goals.

If you read this and think “My project has a StC, but it is not even coming close to doing all of this.” or “Damn, we have been doing it completely wrong.”, then have a look at my executive crash course on how to navigate large and complex transformation programs.

(Non)-Executive Crash Course - How to navigate large and complex transformation projects

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Monday, July 22, 2024

The Most Important Role on Any Large Transformation Project

Change Management and Your CAST Of Characters

The most important role on a large transformation project is the project sponsor. 

Not the project manager. 

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI)'s 2018 Pulse of the Profession In-Depth Report, "1 in 4 organisations (26%) report that the primary cause of failed projects is inadequate sponsor support". 

By contrast, "organisations with a higher percentage of projects that include actively engaged executive sponsors, report 40% more successful projects than those with a lower percentage of projects with actively engaged sponsors".

And according to the 2015 Annual Review of Projects of the UKs National Audit Office “the effectiveness of the project sponsor is the best single predictor of project success or failure”. 

Project sponsors on large and complex multi million dollar transformation projects are often senior executives and most are not trained in any way to be successful in their executive sponsor role. 

Nor do they take the time that is needed to execute this role.

Often the same is the case for the project steering committee members.

Guess what happens with these projects?

If you are in need for a training for executive sponsors and steering committee members have a look at my 1/2 day training for senior executives;

(Non)-Executive Crash Course - How to navigate large and complex transformation projects

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Tuesday, July 02, 2024

Case Study 18: How Excel Errors and Risk Oversights Cost JP Morgan $6 Billion

Case Study 18: How Excel Errors and Risk Oversights Cost JP Morgan $6 Billion

In the spring of 2012, JP Morgan Chase & Co. faced one of the most significant financial debacles in recent history, known as the "London Whale" incident. The debacle resulted in losses amounting to approximately $6 billion, fundamentally shaking the confidence in the bank's risk management practices. 

At the core of this catastrophe was the failure of the Synthetic Credit Portfolio Value at Risk (VaR) Model, a sophisticated financial tool intended to manage the risk associated with the bank's trading strategies. 

The failure of the VaR model not only had severe financial repercussions but also led to intense scrutiny from regulators and the public. It highlighted the vulnerabilities within JP Morgan's risk management framework and underscored the potential dangers of relying heavily on quantitative models without adequate oversight. 

This case study explores the intricacies of what went wrong and how such failures can be prevented in the future. By analyzing this incident, I seek to understand the systemic issues that contributed to the failure and to identify strategies that can mitigate similar risks in other financial institutions. The insights gleaned from this case are not just relevant to JP Morgan but to the broader financial industry, which increasingly depends on complex models to manage risk.

Background

The Synthetic Credit Portfolio (SCP) at JP Morgan was a part of the bank's Chief Investment Office (CIO), which managed the company's excess deposits through various investments, including credit derivatives. The SCP was specifically designed to hedge against credit risk by trading credit default swaps and other credit derivatives. The portfolio aimed to offset potential losses from the bank's other exposures, thereby stabilizing overall performance.

In 2011, JP Morgan developed the Synthetic Credit VaR Model to quantify and manage the risk associated with the SCP. The model was intended to provide a comprehensive measure of the potential losses the bank could face under various market conditions. This would enable the bank to make informed decisions about its trading strategies and risk exposures. The VaR model was implemented using a series of Excel spreadsheets, which were manually updated and managed.

Despite the sophistication of the model, its development was plagued by several critical issues. The model's architect lacked prior experience in developing VaR models, and the resources allocated to the project were inadequate. This led to a reliance on manual processes, increasing the risk of errors and inaccuracies. Furthermore, the model's implementation and monitoring were insufficiently rigorous, contributing to the eventual failure that led to massive financial losses.

The primary objective of JP Morgan's Synthetic Credit VaR Model was to provide an accurate and reliable measure of the risk associated with the bank's credit derivatives portfolio. This would enable the bank to manage its risk exposures effectively, ensuring that its trading strategies remained within acceptable limits. The model aimed to capture the potential losses under various market conditions, allowing the bank to make informed decisions about its investments.

In addition to the primary objective, the Synthetic Credit VaR Model was expected to provide a foundation for further advancements in the bank's risk management practices. By leveraging the insights gained from the model, JP Morgan hoped to develop more sophisticated tools and techniques for managing risk. This would enable the bank to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a competitive edge in the financial industry.

Is your project headed for trouble? Find out! Just answer the 27 questions of my Project Trouble Assessment, which will take you less than 10 minutes, and you will know.

If you just want to read more project failure case studies? Then have a look at the overview of all case studies I have written here.

Timeline of Events

Early 2011: Development of the Synthetic Credit VaR Model begins. The project is led by an individual with limited experience in developing VaR models. The model is built using Excel spreadsheets, which are manually updated and managed.

September 2011: The Synthetic Credit VaR Model is completed and implemented within the CIO. The model is intended to provide a comprehensive measure of the potential losses the bank could face under various market conditions.

January 2012: Increased trading activity in the SCP causes the CIO to exceed its stress loss risk limits. This breach continues for seven weeks. The bank informs the OCC of the ongoing breach, but no additional details are provided, and the matter is dropped.

March 23, 2012: Ina Drew, head of the CIO, orders a halt to SCP trading due to mounting concerns about the portfolio's risk exposure.

April 6, 2012: Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal publish reports on the London Whale, revealing massive positions in credit derivatives held by Bruno Iksil and his team.

April 9, 2012: Thomas Curry becomes the 30th Comptroller of the Currency. Instead of planning for the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Mr. Curry is confronted with the outbreak of news reports about the London Whale incident.

April 16, 2012: JP Morgan provides regulators with a presentation on SCP. The presentation states that the objective of the "Core Credit Book" since its inception in 2007 was to protect against a significant downturn in credit. However, internal reports indicate growing losses in the SCP.

May 4, 2012: JP Morgan reports SCP losses of $1.6 billion for the second quarter. The losses continue to grow rapidly even though active trading has stopped.

December 31, 2012: Total SCP losses reach $6.2 billion, marking one of the most significant financial debacles in the bank's history.

January 2013: The OCC issues a Cease and Desist Order against JP Morgan, directing the bank to correct deficiencies in its derivatives trading activity. The Federal Reserve issues a related Cease and Desist Order against JP Morgan's holding company.

September - October 2013: JP Morgan settles with regulators, paying $1.020 billion in penalties. The OCC levies a $300 million fine for inadequate oversight and governance, insufficient risk management processes, and other deficiencies.

What Went Wrong?

Model Development and Implementation Failures

The development of JP Morgan's Synthetic Credit VaR Model was marred by several critical issues. The model was built using Excel spreadsheets, which involved manual data entry and copying and pasting of data. This approach introduced significant potential for errors and inaccuracies. As noted in JP Morgan's internal report, "the spreadsheets ‘had to be completed manually, by a process of copying and pasting data from one spreadsheet to another’". This manual process was inherently risky, as even a minor error in data entry or formula could lead to significant discrepancies in the model's output.

Furthermore, the individual responsible for developing the model lacked prior experience in creating VaR models. This lack of expertise, combined with inadequate resources, resulted in a model that was not robust enough to handle the complexities of the bank's trading strategies. The internal report highlighted this issue: "The individual who was responsible for the model’s development had not previously developed or implemented a VaR model, and was also not provided sufficient support". This lack of support and expertise significantly compromised the quality and reliability of the model.

Insufficient Testing and Monitoring

The Model Review Group (MRG) did not conduct thorough testing of the new model. They relied on limited back-testing and did not compare results with the existing model. This lack of rigorous testing meant that potential issues and discrepancies were not identified and addressed before the model was implemented. The internal report criticized this approach: "The Model Review Group’s review of the new model was not as rigorous as it should have been". Without comprehensive testing, the model was not validated adequately, leading to unreliable risk assessments.

Moreover, the monitoring and oversight of the model's implementation were insufficient. The CIO risk management team played a passive role in the model's development, approval, implementation, and monitoring. They viewed themselves more as consumers of the model rather than as responsible for its development and operation. This passive approach resulted in inadequate quality control and frequent formula and code changes in the spreadsheets. The internal report noted, "Data were uploaded manually without sufficient quality control. Spreadsheet-based calculations were conducted with insufficient controls and frequent formula and code changes were made". This lack of oversight and quality control further compromised the reliability of the model.

Regulatory Oversight Failures

Regulatory oversight was inadequate throughout the development and implementation of the Synthetic Credit VaR Model. The OCC, JP Morgan's primary regulator, did not request critical performance data and failed to act on risk limit breaches. As highlighted in the Journal of Financial Crises, "JPM did not provide the OCC with required monthly reports... yet the OCC did not request the missing data". This lack of proactive oversight allowed significant issues to go unnoticed and unaddressed.

Additionally, the OCC was informed of risk limit breaches but did not investigate the causes or implications of these breaches. For instance, the OCC was contemporaneously notified in January 2012 that the CIO exceeded its Value at Risk (VaR) limit and the higher bank-wide VaR limit for four consecutive days. However, the OCC did not investigate why the breach happened or inquire why a new model would cause such a large reduction in VaR. This failure to follow up on critical risk indicators exemplified the shortcomings in regulatory oversight.

How JP Morgan Could Have Done Things Differently?

Improved Model Development Processes

One of the primary ways JP Morgan could have avoided the failure of the Synthetic Credit VaR Model was by improving the model development processes. Implementing automated systems for data management could have significantly reduced the risk of human error and improved accuracy. Manual data entry and copying and pasting of data in Excel spreadsheets were inherently risky practices. By automating these processes, the bank could have ensured more reliable and consistent data management.

Moreover, allocating experienced personnel and adequate resources for model development and testing would have ensured more robust results. The individual responsible for developing the model lacked prior experience in VaR models, and the resources allocated to the project were inadequate. By involving experts in the field and providing sufficient support, the bank could have developed a more sophisticated and reliable model. As highlighted in the internal report, "Inadequate resources were dedicated to the development of the model".

Conducting extensive back-testing and validation against existing models could have identified potential discrepancies and flaws. The Model Review Group did not conduct thorough testing of the new model, relying on limited back-testing. By implementing a more rigorous testing process, the bank could have validated the model's accuracy and reliability before its implementation.

Enhanced Oversight and Governance

Enhanced oversight and governance could have prevented the failure of the Synthetic Credit VaR Model. Ensuring regular, detailed reporting to regulators and internal oversight bodies would have maintained transparency and accountability. JP Morgan failed to provide the OCC with required monthly reports, and the OCC did not request the missing data. By establishing regular reporting protocols and ensuring compliance, the bank could have maintained better oversight of the model's performance.

Addressing risk limit breaches promptly and thoroughly would have mitigated escalating risks. The OCC was informed of risk limit breaches but did not investigate the causes or implications of these breaches. By taking immediate action to address and rectify risk limit breaches, the bank could have prevented further escalation of risks. Proactive risk management is crucial in identifying and mitigating potential issues before they lead to significant losses.

Implementing continuous monitoring and review processes for all models and strategies could have identified issues before they led to significant losses. The CIO risk management team played a passive role in the model's development, approval, implementation, and monitoring. By adopting a more proactive approach to monitoring and reviewing the model, the bank could have ensured that potential issues were identified and addressed promptly. Continuous monitoring and review processes are essential in maintaining the accuracy and reliability of risk management models.

Comprehensive Risk Management Framework

Developing a comprehensive risk management framework could have further strengthened JP Morgan's ability to manage risks effectively. This framework should have included clear policies and procedures for model development, implementation, and monitoring. By establishing a robust risk management framework, the bank could have ensured that all aspects of the model's lifecycle were adequately managed.

Additionally, enhancing collaboration and communication between different teams involved in risk management could have improved the model's reliability. The CIO risk management team viewed themselves more as consumers of the model rather than as responsible for its development and operation. By fostering collaboration and communication between different teams, the bank could have ensured that all stakeholders were actively involved in the model's development and monitoring.

Closing Thoughts

The failure of JP Morgan's Synthetic Credit VaR Model underscores the critical importance of rigorous development, testing, and oversight in financial risk management. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for financial institutions relying on complex models and emphasizes the need for robust governance and proactive risk management strategies. By learning from this failure, financial institutions can develop more reliable and effective risk management frameworks.

The insights gleaned from this case study are not just relevant to JP Morgan but to the broader financial industry, which increasingly depends on complex models to manage risk. By addressing the systemic issues that contributed to the failure and implementing the strategies outlined in this case study, financial institutions can mitigate similar risks in the future.

In conclusion, the London Whale incident highlights the vulnerabilities within JP Morgan's risk management framework and underscores the potential dangers of relying heavily on quantitative models without adequate oversight. By enhancing model development processes, improving oversight and governance, and developing a comprehensive risk management framework, financial institutions can ensure more reliable and effective risk management practices.

Is your project headed for trouble? Find out! Just answer the 27 questions of my Project Trouble Assessment, which will take you less than 10 minutes, and you will know.

If you just want to read more project failure case studies? Then have a look at the overview of all case studies I have written here.

Sources

1) Internal Report of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Management Task Force Regarding 2012 CIO Losses, January 16, 2013

2) A whale in shallow waters: JPMorgan Chase, the “London Whale” and the organisational catastrophe of 2012, François Valérian, November 2017

3) JPMorgan Chase London Whale E: Supervisory Oversight, Arwin G. Zeissler and Andrew Metrick, Journal of Financial Crises, 2019

4) JPMorgan Chase London Whale C: Risk Limits, Metrics, and Models, Arwin G. Zeissler and Andrew Metrick, Journal of Financial Crises, 2019

5) JPMorgan Chase Whale Trades: A Case History of Derivatives Risks and Abuses, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations United States Senate, 2013

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Monday, July 01, 2024

Boards Must Understand Technology. Period.

Boards Must Understand Technology. Period.

Reflecting on the 2024 Swiss Board Day in Bern it has become even more clear to me that understanding the current technological landscape and its associated opportunities, challenges, and risks is now essential for both executive and non-executive board members. 

Equally important is staying informed about governance issues related to these technologies, including regulatory challenges and potential pitfalls. 

There is now way around it anymore, in order to set the company's vision and strategy, the board must understand how technology impacts the business and its future value creation.

Consider the narratives surrounding artificial reality (AI). While ChatGPT brought large language models into the spotlight, various AI applications like face ID, image recognition, customer service chatbots, and expert systems for tasks such as self-driving cars and chess have been in use for decades. 

Despite media focus on the risks of AI, such as deep fakes and cyber threats, there are significant defensive benefits, including enhancing cybersecurity and verification processes. Boards need to understand AI’s role within their organizations, lead the way in defining “responsible AI,” and ensure issues like privacy, bias, and equity are addressed in AI development and deployment.

Clients, regulators, and markets now expect rapid and effective integration of new business drivers into strategies. Building trust around new technologies with internal and external stakeholders is crucial. 

Cybersecurity, augmented reality (AR), robotics, and AI are just a few examples where companies must identify, measure, disclose, and adapt to strategic opportunities and risks. Not all technology is relevant for your company, but the ones that are should be evaluated in detail.

How can a board effectively oversee the long-term growth and evolution of their company amidst ongoing new opportunities and challenges, especially if they lack specific knowledge on existing and emerging technologies and its risks? 

Boards should start with leveraging internal company resources. You should seek out knowledge by visiting your company's offices, attend small group sessions, do production tours, and join town halls to witness new developments firsthand and understand their strategic alignment.

Dedicated training and workshops with relevant experts can help you grasp the business implications of key technologies within their industry. Your trainer(s) should have experience implementing technology in your industry. 

What is even more important is that your trainer(s) can explain technology in a way that non-technical people can understand and are able to apply their newly won knowledge onto their business.

The aim isn’t to create a board of tech experts but to shift mindsets, open new possibilities, evaluate risks, and enhance the board’s ability to challenge management in business development.

In a nutshell: In order to set the company's vision and strategy, the board must understand how technology impacts the business and its future value creation.

If your board is in need for such a training or workshop have a look at my offerings;

> (Non)-Executive Crash Course - Technology Trends Shaping Our Future

> (Non)-Executive Workshop - Technology Vision Definition

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