Defining risks

About this task

You can define risks both before and during the project. By identifying risks early in the development lifecycle, you can create strategies for mitigating the impact of the risks on the project. By default, Risk work items are not displayed in the plan view. You can view the risk work items by clicking the Quick Filter icon () and clearing the Risks check box.

Remember:

By default, this feature is available in the Formal Project Management process template. If you are using the Scrum process template, you can enable this feature by customizing the template. For more information about customizing the template, see Adding formal project management features to a process template.

To create a risk work item:

1. Click the Work Items menu and select Risk.
   To create the Risk work item from the plan view, on the Planned Items tab, click the Quick Filter icon and clear the Risks check box. Then, click the New Work Item icon to select the Risk work item.
2. On the Overview tab, complete the fields.
   The Risk work item type contains these additional fields.

   • Probability: The likelihood that the risk will occur.
   • Impact: The degree to which the risk affects the project.
   • Exposure: The magnitude or scope of the risk. The exposure is determined by multiplying the probability and impact and dividing that number by 100.
   • Precision: The degree to which the risk is understood.
     Note: When you define the probability and impact, the matrix shows the risk severity. The cell where the probability and impact qualifiers meet is represented by a letter: L for Low, M for Medium, and H for High severity. The letter indicates the degree of precision. The letters change based on what value you set in the Precision field. You can also define the probability and impact by selecting a cell in the matrix.
   • Consequence Cost: A number that represents the financial impact of the risk. By default, the USD currency is displayed along with the cost. You can set another currency in the project area editor. For more information about setting currency, see Setting the currency of risk costs.
   • Probability Cost: A number that represents the probable cost of the risk occurrence. This value is determined by multiplying the probability and consequence cost. By default, the USD currency is displayed along with the cost. You can set another currency in the project area editor. For more information about setting currency, see Setting the currency of risk costs.
   • Risk Category: Categorizes risks that are based on types. By default, some categories are defined as enumerations for the process template. You can define new enumerations in the project area editor.
   • Identification Date: This date can be in the past, present, or future. If you are defining a risk only, you can leave this field blank and select a date when the risk is identified.
   • Occurrence Date: This date can be in the past, present, or future. If you are defining a risk only, you can leave this field blank and select a date when the risk occurs.
   • Identified For: This field lists the iterations for the project. This field is same as the Planned For field for any other work item type. When you run a query for the risk work items, you can use the Planned For attribute. The Identified For attribute is not available as an option for queries.
3. Optional: To link a Risk Action work item that resolves the defined risk, complete the following steps.
   1. On the Links tab, click the down arrow on Add and select Resolved By.
   2. In the Add Links window, select a project area, and in the Type list, select Risk Action.
   3. Enter the work item ID and click OK.
      The risk now links to the Risk Action work item.
4. Click Save.