What is M_o_R & Risk Management?

Essentially, risk is uncertainty of outcome. It is posed by any eventuality that may occur and that may affect an organisation’s ability to meet its business objectives.

Risk management incorporates all the activities required to identify and control an organisation’s exposure to risk. This can be at a corporate/strategic level, where managing risk should be an intrinsic part of achieving sustainable growth in stakeholder value. It can also be at an operational level, where it must inform day-to-day activities so as to protect and maximise profitability, maintain and enhance customer service, and continually improve product quality.

M_o_R, or Management of Risk, is a framework, developed by the Cabinet Office, which helps organisations take informed decisions about risk in a balanced and consistent manner. It is based upon proven best practice and a broad historical body of knowledge and embodies a methodical, yet pragmatic approach to risk analysis and management.

There are many types of risk - commercial, financial, political, environmental, cultural, etc. - all of which can be managed using the M_o_R approach. Furthermore, it recognises that risk can be at different levels in an organisation - corporate/strategic, programme, project, operational - and thus provides a framework which is applicable to all circumstances.

All organisations manage risk, although this is not always done in a visible or repeatable way, or by applying a consistent approach. Using M_o_R addresses these issues. Crucially, it also enforces a risk aware culture throughout the organisation, ensuring that risk is recognised and managed at all levels.

No, M_o_R is designed such that it should become an intuitive part of every day operations, blending seamlessly with existing business processes and resulting in no unnecessary increase in the bureaucratic overhead.

Implementation will first require key individuals to be trained in the M_o_R approach. Once this has been done, they will be equipped to marry the approach to the particular needs of their organisation. Some specialist consultancy is often useful at this stage as it brings with it not just in-depth knowledge of M_o_R, but also wide and practical experience gained with other implementations. Vital to the success of M_o_R will be the support and commitment of senior management, coupled with effective communication of M_o_R's objectives and benefits to all those impacted by its use.

Standard M_o_R courses are at three levels: Overview, Foundation and Practitioner. The Overview is aimed at managers new to formal risk management methods, plus senior managers and executives considering the introduction of M_o_R into their organisations. The Foundation is typically for those who will be involved in risk management, but not necessarily in a leading role. The Practitioner is for anyone requiring an in-depth understanding of the M_o_R approach. Both the Foundation and Practitioner training lead to examinations which will provide successful delegates with an internationally recognised qualification.

To learn more about AFA M_o_R training, visit the M_o_R Training page.