How to use a risk register
A risk register turns vague worry into a managed list. By rating each risk on likelihood and impact, you can focus attention where it counts — the high-likelihood, high-impact risks — instead of spreading it thin.
- Rate likelihood & impact — prioritize the high/high risks first.
- Assign a mitigation — a concrete action for each real risk.
- Revisit regularly — risks shift as the project moves.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a risk register?
- A risk register is a list of the things that could go wrong on a project, each rated by how likely it is and how big the impact would be, along with a plan to reduce or handle it.
- How do you assess risk likelihood and impact?
- Rate each on a simple scale — here, Low / Medium / High. A high-likelihood, high-impact risk is your top priority; a low-low risk you can usually accept.
- What is a mitigation?
- A mitigation is a concrete action that reduces a risk — either lowering the chance it happens or softening the impact if it does.
- When should you build a risk register?
- At the start of a project, then revisit it regularly. Risks change as the project moves, so a register is a living document, not a one-time exercise.