Risk Register

A risk register is a project management tool to document, track and manage potential risks that could impact a project. It’s a central log where project managers and teams record possible threats, their likelihood, impact and the plans to mitigate them. By keeping this information organised, the risk register ensures risks are identified early and handled proactively not reactively.

A typical risk register includes details such as description of the risk, category, probability of it occurring, impact on project objectives and priority level compared to other risks. It also outlines mitigation strategies, contingency plans and current status of each risk so the team has a clear view of how threats are being managed. This structured approach makes it easier to monitor risks throughout the project lifecycle and adjust responses as conditions change.

Beyond active projects, risk registers are useful reference points for future work. By reviewing how past risks were handled, project managers can anticipate similar challenges and plan better. The level of detail in a risk register depends on the complexity of the project, more stakeholders and moving parts means more detail.

Overall a risk register helps teams reduce uncertainty, maintain control and increase the chances of delivering projects successfully.