RISK MANAGEMENT
matrix and worksheet
Student Organization Resource Center
Risk Management Matrix and Worksheet
Risk Management Matrix and Worksheet
1. Risk Assessment
1.1. Matrix
2. Managing Risk
2.1. Worksheet
1. Risk Assessment
1. List all aspects of your event on the grid.
2. Identify risks associated with each activity. Be sure to think broadly about potential risks – think worst
case scenario.
3. Use the matrix to determine the level of risk associated with each activity before applying any risk
management strategies.
4. Brainstorm methods to manage the identified risks. Find strategies you can apply to reduce the severity
of the risk and the probability that something will go wrong.
5. Use the matrix to re-assess the activities, now that you applied risk management strategies.
6. Determine if you have reached an acceptable level of risk by applying risk management strategies.
Consider modifying or eliminating activities that have unreasonable risk associated with them.
Remember to consider how the activity relates to the mission & purpose of your organization.
7. Throughout your process, think about why this is important to you and your organization. We
encourage you to always consider the well-being and safety of everyone involved in your events and
activities.
Risk Definitions
Extremely HighERisk
High RiskH
Moderate Risk
M
Low RiskL
Activities in this category contain unacceptable levels of risk, including catastrophic and critical injuries that
are highly likely to occur. Organizations should consider whether they should eliminate or modify activities
that still have an “E” rating after applying all reasonable risk management strategies.
Activities in this category contain potentially serious risks that are likely to occur. Application of proactive risk
management strategies to reduce the risk is advised. Organizations should consider ways to modify or
eliminate unacceptable risks.
Activities in this category contain some level of risk that is unlikely to occur. Organizations should consider
what can be done to manage the risk to prevent any negative outcomes.
Activities in this category contain minimal risk and are unlikely to occur. Organizations can proceed with
Office of Student Activities • Williams Center
www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/OSA • osa@georgiasouthern.edu • 912.478.7270
1
these activities as planned.
1.1. Matrix
PROBABILITY
THAT
SOMETHING
WILL GO
WRONG
Category
Frequent
Likely to occur
immediately or in a
short period of time;
expected to occur
Likely
Quite
likely to
occur in
time
Occasionally
May occur in
time
Seldom
Not likely
to occur
but
possible
Unlikely
Unlikely to
occur
CATASTROPHIC
May result in death
E
E
H
H
M
CRITICAL
May cause severe injury, major property
damage, significant financial loss, and/or
result in negative publicity for the
organization and/or GSU
E
H
H
M
L
MARGINAL
May cause minor injury, illness, property
damage, financial loss, and/or result in
negative publicity for the organization
and/or GSU
H
M
M
L
L
NEGLIGIBLE
Hazard present a minimal threat to
safety, health and well-being of
participants; trivial
M
L
L
L
L
2. Managing Risk
Use the worksheet below to guide your documentation of the organization’s approach to managing risk as
well as any areas you have specific questions.
Remember to consider each of these different types of risks:
●
●
●
●
Physical (i.e. food poisoning, injuries from physical activities, or travel related incidents)
Reputation (i.e. negative publicity for your organization, GSU, your advisor, venue where you are
holding your event)
Emotional (i.e. a participant feeling alienated or negatively impacting member(s) of the GSU community)
Financial (i.e. negative impact on the fiscal stability of your organization or other organizations
financially supporting your event)
Office of Student Activities • Williams Center
www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/OSA • osa@georgiasouthern.edu • 912.478.7270
2
2.1. Worksheet
Type of Risk
Event
Activities
Possible Risks
Level of Risk
Risk Management
Plans
Values
Physical
Reputational
Emotional
Financial
Facilities
List all aspects
of your event,
both risky and
less risky ones.
Think through
all the things
that could go
wrong,
including worstcase scenarios.
Identify the
level of risk
associated
with the matrix
from page two.
Consider what your
organization could do to
manage the risk.
Indicate why this is
important to you and/or
your organization.
For all other questions regarding Risk Management contact the Office of Student
Activities at 912.478.7270.
Office of Student Activities • Williams Center
www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/OSA • osa@georgiasouthern.edu • 912.478.7270
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