---
title: "Building a risk register"
course: "PMGT 170 · Get projects done on time"
unit: "Planning the work"
lesson: 16 of 38
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/building-a-risk-register
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Building a risk register

Lesson 16 of 38 in **Get projects done on time** (PMGT 170), unit "Planning the work". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Identify at least five risks for a given project by examining the scope, schedule, resource plan, and earlier stakeholder register or map
- Assess each risk by its likelihood and impact using a probability-impact matrix
- Create a risk register that assigns each risk one of the four response strategies — avoid, mitigate, transfer, or accept — with a specific response action and an owner

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 16 complete: Building a risk register."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Setting up a project tracking board" (lesson 17 of 38), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/get-projects-done-on-time/setting-up-a-project-tracking-board.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Putting a price on your plan
Next lesson: Setting up a project tracking board