Simple Risk Register | FREE Download

This register is designed for smaller businesses or projects. It is quick and easy to get started with just a few fields to complete. It is based on a template that the Australian government have produced to support business owners. This version uses Excel as it is more versatile and easier to customise. The drop down menus for selecting risk impact and likelihood can be changed on the Dropdown tab.
For large projects download our more fully featured Risk Register template
This template is deliberately light on features, so you can add whatever you like, for example,
  • add fields for:
    • date raised
    • risk budget
    • risk owner
    • risk status
  • color code risk importance using conditional formatting. For example, risks with a risk level of 8 and above could turn red.
  • add a formula to calculate risk level automatically.
The template is fully editable with Excel and can be converted or changed to suit your project. The contents of the template is shown below.
simple Risk Register - Excel template

The contents of this simple Risk Register

 
Document information
  • Project name
  • Project manager
You could add:
  • Department
  • Sponsor name
  • Date last updated
  • Document location etc.
Risk ID
A unique identifier for each risk. For example, a number or combination of letters and numbers linking the risk back to the project or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
 
Risk Description
What is the risk? What could this risk result in?

For example, the prolonged use of computer screens could result in headaches, eye strain, blurred vision and neck and back pain.
To get started see the Top 20 Project Risks!
 
Likelihood of the risk occurring
How likely is this to happen?

Risk likelihood is usually rated on a scale, for example, 1 to 4 or high, medium, low.
 
Severity of the risk
What is the severity of the risk? Would it cause a lot of damage?

Rate this on the same scale as the risk likelihood. The free template uses a 1 to 4 scale, which you can change in the 'dropdowns' tab.
 
Risk level
This number indicates the level of risk. Likelihood number x severity number = risk level. The result can be plotted on a risk matrix to like this example:
risk level matrix
You can use the matrix to:
  • compare risks
  • illustrate the seriousness of a risk
  • decide on the appropriate level of effort to manage the risk
  • decide how much you are prepared to spend on treating the risk. That is, how much you will spend to reduce the likelihood of the risk occurring or reduce the severity of the consequences.
 
Planning and control
What will you do to prevent or minimise the risk? What actions will you take?

 

Download the template!

Excel download - simple Risk Register .xls

Excel download - simple Risk Register(.xlsx)

OpenDocument Spreadsheet download - simple Risk Register(.ods)

The Top 50 Business Risks And How To Manage them!

20 Common Project Risks - Example Risk Register

Overall Project Risk Assessment Template

References

business.gov.au. Assess and manage risk. [online] Available at: url [Accessed 05 May 2022].
 

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