Project Risk Register Template
A project-level risk register template aligned with ISO 31000 risk management principles.
Purpose
Project risks move quickly. This template keeps risk visible to project leadership and the project board.
Fields
- Risk ID
- Risk description and trigger event
- Project objective impacted (scope, schedule, cost, quality)
- Impact (1–5), Likelihood (1–5), Score
- Owner — the person responsible for managing the risk
- Mitigation actions and target date
- Contingency plan — response if the risk materializes
- Status — open / mitigating / closed
- Raised date and last update
Usage notes
- Review the register at each project status meeting
- Escalate red-rated risks to the project board
- Re-score risks after mitigation, not just at identification
Risk categories for projects
- Schedule and dependencies
- Resource and capability
- Technical and quality
- Stakeholder and political
- External and regulatory
A live, owned register is the single most effective project risk tool.