Risk Assessment & Mitigation Lab

Identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies for program risks

1
Risk Identification
2
Risk Assessment
3
Mitigation Planning
4
Risk Register

Step 1: Risk Identification

Provide context to help identify relevant risks

Risk Categories to Consider

  • Financial: Funding delays, currency fluctuation, cost overruns
  • Political: Policy changes, political instability, regulatory shifts
  • Operational: Staff turnover, supply chain issues, technical failures
  • Environmental: Natural disasters, climate impacts, seasonal variations
  • Social: Community resistance, cultural misunderstanding, conflict
  • Partnership: Partner withdrawal, capacity issues, conflicting priorities
  • Reputational: Negative publicity, stakeholder criticism, ethical concerns
  • Security: Safety threats, data breaches, asset theft
Include warning signs, triggers, and underlying causes

Step 2: Risk Assessment

Low (1)

Unlikely to occur (< 30% chance)

Medium (2)

Possible to occur (30-70% chance)

High (3)

Likely to occur (70%+ chance)

Low (1)

Minor disruption, easily managed

Medium (2)

Significant impact, requires response

High (3)

Severe impact, threatens program success

Consider impacts on timeline, budget, quality, beneficiaries, and stakeholders
Low Impact
Medium Impact
High Impact
High Probability
Medium Risk
High Risk
High Risk
Medium Probability
Low Risk
Medium Risk
High Risk
Low Probability
Low Risk
Low Risk
Medium Risk

Step 3: Mitigation Planning

Be specific about what will be done, by whom, and when
Include indicators, monitoring frequency, and escalation procedures
Describe your response plan if mitigation efforts fail

Mitigation Strategies

  • Avoid: Change project design to eliminate risk (e.g., choose different location)
  • Mitigate: Take actions to reduce likelihood or impact (e.g., training, redundancy)
  • Transfer: Use insurance, partnerships, or contracts to shift risk
  • Accept: Monitor and prepare to respond if risk occurs

Step 4: Risk Register

No risks added yet. Use the "Add New Risk" button to start building your risk register.

Using Your Risk Register

  • Review and update your risk register regularly (monthly or quarterly)
  • Share relevant risks with team members and stakeholders
  • Use risk levels to prioritize attention and resources
  • Document lessons learned when risks actually occur
  • Consider new risks as your program evolves and context changes