Risk Map canvas
Innovation projects are challenging. You encounter challenges that do not always have a clear problem and no clear solution. During the project you may encounter risks at various points, such as the lack of availability of the employees you need, or the fact that the technology of your solution is not supported by the organization.
What risks are there in the project?
Objective: Identify the risks in the project and what we need to take into account.
Work instruction short
- Duration: 20 – 45 minutes (depending on the case and group size)
- Complexity: 2/5
- Group size: 2 – 6 participants
Main risks
To actively tackle these risks, we will identify the most important risks in your project.
What is the canvas?
When do you use the canvas?
Why a Canvas?
How do you use the canvas?
How does Canvas work?
You can plot the risks on the dimension of size: how big is your risk?
2. LITTLE INFLUENCE / MUCH INFLUENCE
You can plot the risks on the dimension of influence: how much influence does the risk have?
Step by step instruction
This is an example of how you can apply the Risk Map Canvas, but you can adapt it to your own work style and work environment.
Prior to
Make sure you have printed the Risk Map Canvas in at least A1 size and that you have markers and post-its at hand.
You can use this canvas immediately after opening. Or better yet, make it the opening.
Checklist
- Invitation: time, location, theme/assignment, trigger question or inspiration link
- Space: large, comfortable, decorated differently than usual, with whiteboards, etc.
- Materials: walls prepared with canvas and other supplies, markers, post-its
- Welcome drink, coffee, tea, water
- Pilot check: go through the script 30 minutes in advance with the co-supervisor/client or with yourself to check whether everything is ready.
Introduction Risk Map Canvas
You can use the canvas online, for example in LucidSpark, Miro, Mural, Teams Whiteboard, as well as physically. Hang the canvas so that all participants can see it.
Step 1: Introducing Risks and Purpose (5 minutes)
Provide a brief explanation of what risks are and what the purpose of this session is: determining the most important risks.
Step 2: Thinking about and writing down risks (10 minutes)
Have all participants write down all the risks they can think of. Write these risks on post-its. Indicate in advance that the assumptions must be formulated briefly and powerfully.
Step 3: Share and paste the risks (30 minutes)
Have participants take turns reading out their risks. Ask the entire group where it should be placed on the small-large scale, and then where it should be placed on the low-influence-high-influence scale. Stick the post-it with the risk at the “intersection” of the scales on the canvas.
Repeat this process until all risks have been identified.
As a check, you ask: do we have them all now or are there still risks missing? If that is the case, paste it there.
Step 4: Determining the most important risks
Every phase in the innovation process has risks. By always trying to remove the most important risks, you increase the chance of success of the innovation. Now ask the group which risks are most important for the phase you are in and which ones you can combine to validate them.
Next steps
Work with these risks in the project. Devise actions together to reduce the risk and determine who will do what and when.
Wrapping up
Take a step back with the group and acknowledge that a good job has been done.
Good luck and have fun using it!