What is the difference between risks and issues in project management?

The distinction between risks and issues in project management is crucial for effective project planning and execution, making the selection significant. Risks are indeed potential future problems that could negatively impact the project if they materialize, whereas issues are current problems that must be addressed and resolved to keep the project on track.

Understanding this difference helps project managers proactively identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies, while also ensuring that existing issues are promptly addressed to avoid escalation. This proactive approach minimizes the likelihood of significant disruptions to the project's timeline and deliverables.

Other options may seem plausible at a glance, but they misrepresent the core definitions. For example, characterizing risks as always negative fails to acknowledge that some risks can actually present opportunities. Similarly, suggesting that risks can be ignored overlooks the importance of risk management in the success of a project. Lastly, describing risks as random while issues follow a pattern does not accurately reflect that both can follow patterns, and both require systematic analysis and management strategies.