Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face increasing complexity in project management, requiring sophisticated risk management approaches to ensure successful outcomes. This study conceptualises Integrated Risk Management (IRM) approaches specifically tailored to enhance project performance within Higher Education Institutions in Tanzania. The research addresses the critical gap between theoretical frameworks and the practical execution of academic and administrative projects. Through a descriptive research design examining 70 respondents from accredited Tanzanian HEIs, this study reveals that project performance is frequently hampered by fragmented risk assessments. The findings emphasise the need for alignment between institutional strategy and project-level risk mitigation. This paper proposes a Project Performance-Based IRM model that moves beyond generic risk management by situating the discourse within the Tanzanian academic context.