Guidance

Management of risk in government: summary

Published 12 January 2017

© Crown copyright 2017

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/management-of-risk-in-government/management-of-risk-in-government-summary

1. Introduction

Risk is a part of everything we do. We all manage risk – often without realising it – every day.

There is significant value in the effective management of risk. It:

  • informs business decisions
  • enables a more effective use of precious resources
  • enhances strategic and business planning
  • strengthens contingency planning

This document provides a broad and high-level framework of good practice that can help organisations ensure their arrangements for managing risk are structured and comprehensive.

This guidance is intended to be useful to:

  • executive and non-executive members of the Board
  • senior staff whose leadership is vital
  • managers
  • audit and risk assurance committees
  • all those involved in risk management

2. The Framework

Management of Risk in Government

Diagram showing the new model for risk management in government.

3. Board Members

Members of the board have a critical role in establishing the environment that will allow the effective management of risk to flourish. Annex A of the guidance (pdf, 3.7 MB) provides example questions that board members may wish to test and challenge the risk management arrangements in their organisation.

4. Risk Practitioners

Annex B of the guidance (pdf, 3.7 MB) provides example questions that risk practitioners in various organisations have found helpful in improving the effectiveness of risk management in their organisation.

5.  Tools and Techniques

Annex C of the guidance (pdf, 3.7 MB) provides some examples of the tools, techniques and templates in risk management that have been used successfully across government.

Further information on risk management in government:

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