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Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS)

Business analysisRisk management

Reference model

Risk Breakdown StructureA canvas of 7 boxes laid out on a grid of 3 columns and 3 rows: Overall Project Risk, Technical Risks, Operational Risks, Financial Risks, Market Risks, Compliance Risks, External Risks.Overall Project RiskTop-level risk assessmentTechnical RisksRisks related to technologyOperational RisksRisks in operationsFinancial RisksRisks affecting financesMarket RisksRisks from market changesCompliance RisksRisks of non-complianceExternal RisksRisks from outside factors

Visual representation of risks categorized into a structured format.

About this model

A hierarchical decomposition of risks that categorizes them into manageable components for better understanding and analysis.

Originator not stated.

How to read it

  • Start from the top level, which represents the overall project or organization risk.
  • Drill down into categories and subcategories to identify specific risks.

What this does

Organizes and categorizes potential risks to a project or organization, helping to identify and manage them effectively.

When to use it

Use it when you need to systematically identify and categorize risks to improve risk management and decision-making.

Not when: Do not use it when the project scope is unclear or when risks are not significant enough to warrant detailed analysis.

What happens next

Create a risk management plan based on the identified risks.

Golden thread

Builds on ←

  • Project charter
  • Stakeholder analysis

Feeds into →

  • Risk management plan

Use this tool, free

Sign in to open the worksheet. Your work saves as you type, the AI can draft the parts you have not filled in, and you finish with an analysis and a 30/60/90-day action plan.

Drafted with AI and reviewed by Eccellere on 04/11/2026. Guidance, not advice: apply your own judgement.