Software Project Risk Register: Template and 15 Example Risks

A risk register lists potential problems along with their likelihood, severity, owner, planned response, and status. For software projects, the author recommends six core columns: risk, probability, impact, owner, response, and status. The guide distinguishes risks from blockers and open questions, which can all sit in one list if each item is typed. Risks should be phrased as conditional statements so they cannot be mistaken for tasks. A 1-to-5 scale for probability and impact, multiplied into a score, is suggested, with scores of 15 or more typically requiring action before work begins. The article includes an invented example project with 15 typical risks to adapt.