A risk management plan is not the risk register — it is the plan for how risk management will be conducted, defined before risks are identified.
- The plan comes before the register
- Defining escalation thresholds upfront prevents disputes later
- It should be brief — 1-2 pages focused on process
What the plan includes
Risk methodology, roles and responsibilities, risk categories, probability and impact definitions, register format, review cadence, and escalation thresholds.
Defining risk categories
Categorizing risks (technical, external, organizational, project management) helps teams identify them more systematically before the first workshop.
Setting probability and impact scales
Define what 1-5 means on each scale. Agreed definitions before scoring eliminate calibration debates.
Defining escalation thresholds
State explicitly: risks above score X escalate to the sponsor within Y days. This removes governance ambiguity at the worst moment.
Frequently asked questions
No. The plan defines how risk management is conducted; the register documents individual risks.
One to two pages for most projects.
Complex projects, yes. Short projects can use a brief section in the project plan.
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