Purpose
Helps clarify options, criteria, and risks in concrete terms. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a Risk Matrix and a Top Risk List.
Decision Making
Risk Matrix
Moves options, criteria, and risks toward a concrete result through "set the scales for likelihood and impact", "collect risks or carry them over from earlier identification", and "define actions for each high-risk item".
Where does each risk sit on probability-impact scale, and which risks need immediate action, which observation, which accepted exposure?
LowWorkshop + async30-60 min
How it works
The team follows the steps "set the scales for likelihood and impact", "collect risks or carry them over from earlier identification", "place each risk individually", "discuss clusters and clarify action needs", and "define actions for each high-risk item". Each step is made visible. At the end, Risk Matrix and Top Risk List are available so decisions, tests, or actions can continue directly.
Visual orientation
Method sketch for a quick mental model.
Flow
- 1Set the scales for likelihood and impact
- 2Collect risks or carry them over from earlier identification
- 3Place each risk individually
- 4Discuss clusters and clarify action needs
- 5Define actions for each high-risk item
The runsheet guides execution with 4 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open runsheetIdeal for
- Steering board briefings
- Project portfolio reviews
- Compliance reviews
Not good for
- Highly dynamic contexts with unknown risks
Deep dive
In detail
The Risk Matrix positions each identified risk on a likelihood versus impact scale, usually with three or five levels per axis. Colored zones mark urgency. It is often used in project management, security, and compliance contexts and is good for structuring discussion instead of leaving it open.
Facilitation
Write down the scale values before the session. Gather a separate rating for each risk across the group, then decide on an average or a consensus outcome.
Output artifacts
RisikomatrixTop-Risiko-Liste
Artifact templates
Risk Matrix Working TemplateCompact working template for Risk Matrix with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.spreadsheet
Risk Matrix Working TemplateCompact working template for Risk Matrix with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
spreadsheetrisk-matrix-working-template.md
Compact working template for Risk Matrix with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
Risk Matrix Working Matrix
| Element | Description | Rating | Evidence | Owner | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 |
Output artifacts
- Risk Matrix:
- Top Risk List:
Decision or recommendation
What consequence follows from the matrix?
When to choose differently
Short decision aid for existing alternatives.
ROAM Board
Statt Risk Matrix, wenn ihr Risiken gemeinsam besprechen wollt und nur einen lebendigen Maßnahmenstatus braucht.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
Statt Risk Matrix, wenn ihr Ausfallarten, Wirkungen und Gegenmaßnahmen systematisch absichern wollt.
Similar methods
All methodsDecision Making
Red Teaming
Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining scope, clarifying the Red Team role, and deriving mitigations.
Decision Making
Assumption Surfacing
Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the initiative or decision, collecting implicit assumptions, and planning tests or research.
Agile
ROAM Board
Moves backlog, sprint work, and team flow toward a concrete result through "create a board with the four columns Resolved, Owned, Accepted, Mitigated", "carry over risks from earlier stages such as Risk Storming", and "update the board at every review".
Statt Risk Matrix, wenn ihr Risiken gemeinsam besprechen wollt und nur einen lebendigen Maßnahmenstatus braucht.
Decision Making
Impact Filter
Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by naming an initiative, defining desired impact, and selecting the next smallest step.
Decision Making
Decision Tree
Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the decision question, collecting options and conditions, and discussing the best path.
Decision Making
OODA Loop
Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by observing the situation, interpreting signals and context, and reviewing the effect of each cycle.