Intro to Risk Registers

Intro to Risk Registers

Insight from Asana

Whenever I start a new initiative, I think of all the things that could go wrong.

(Probably something to unpack with a therapist 😬)

But I’ve found a productive way to deal with this! 

Instead of letting those potential disasters live only in my head, I document them in a risk register.

A risk register is a document that catalogues potential risks, their likelihood, impact, and - most importantly - how you plan to tackle them.

What’s useful about this specific form of documentation is that we’re not just listing risks, we’re prioritizing them.

A minor hiccup in the supply chain doesn't deserve the same attention as a major budget cut. Rank your risks based on their potential impact and likelihood. This way, you're always focusing your energy where it matters most.

As a manager, your biggest point of leverage is to assign each risk an owner. It’s not about passing the buck - it's about empowering your team to take proactive steps. 

When John from IT owns the risk of a server crash, he's more likely to implement that backup system he's been talking about.

We found a bunch of great templates for building your own risk register over at Smartsheet. 

Next time you catch yourself worrying about all the ways your project could go wrong:

1. Document it

2. Prioritize it

3. Assign it

After it’s built, review your risk register regularly with your team. As the project evolves, the risks will evolve. 

So should your plans!