This invention provides techniques, systems and apparatus for assessing risk associated with a project or a portfolio of projects. An example embodiment having a processor and a memory, includes storing operational values which corresponds to a different project. Each operational value is representative of a project operational parameter. A risk vector is generated for each project based on the set of operational parameters. The risk vectors are partitioned into groups of similar risk vectors having a set of membership rules. Probabilities that a new project belongs to respective groups are generated. A risk value indicative of the risk associated with the new project is generated based on the probabilities generated. In some embodiments, the technique also assesses portfolio risk and utilizes an optimization algorithm to estimate acceptable or desirable margins to charge for each project in a portfolio of projects.