Every project carries risk — funding delays, procurement issues, staffing gaps, shifting political conditions, operational disruptions, and more. The challenge is not avoiding risk entirely, but identifying and managing it before it derails your project.
Risk Register for Projects Template
The Risk Register is a practical project management tool used to identify, assess, prioritize, and monitor risks throughout the project lifecycle. It provides a structured framework for documenting potential risks, evaluating their likelihood and impact, and planning appropriate response strategies to reduce uncertainty and support project success.
Learn how to:
- Evaluate probability and impact
- Calculate risk scores
- Assign ownership
- Develop response strategies that strengthen decision-making and reduce uncertainty
Download the free Risk Register
Risk Register Spreadsheet
This risk register spreadsheet can be used to record the risks you identify, the assessment of their severity, controls identified and actions taken.
Within this template you will find:
- Key risks matrix template to map your risks to impact and probability
- Risk category definitions
- Risk register template
If you work in project management, program delivery, grants, operations, or MEAL, these resources will help you build a more structured and proactive approach to project risk management.
Also see our guide to the Logical Framework (Logframe), helping teams clearly map how activities lead to outputs, outcomes, and long-term impact.