Legal and risk / Free editable template

Risk register with inherent and residual scores template

A risk register is the running list of risks an organisation is managing. This board turns the usual spreadsheet into something you can read at a glance: each risk is a bar from its inherent score, before any controls, to its residual score after current controls, drawn against a red risk appetite line. Owner, trend, next review date and status sit on the same row.

This is a planning example, not legal advice. Check your own policies, advisers and the local rules that apply to you.

No account needed · Opens as your own editable page

Preview the risk register with inherent and residual scores

View full-size preview ↗
Risk register with inherent and residual scores example showing eight risks with owners and review dates, inherent to residual bars on one scale, risk appetite line and status flags
Everything in this example is editable. Replace the labels, move the shapes and adapt the layout to your work.

How to use this template

  1. List the risks and owners

    Give every risk one named owner and a short, specific title. A risk without an owner does not get managed.

  2. Score before and after controls

    Score the inherent risk with no controls, then the residual risk with the controls that actually work today. The gap shows how much your controls are doing.

  3. Compare with appetite

    Draw your appetite line. Any residual score to the right of it needs a new treatment with a date, or a recorded decision to accept it.

Questions about this template

How do I read the two scores on each risk?

The first is the inherent score before controls and the second is the residual score after them. Compare the residual score with the appetite line to set the status.

Do I need an account to use it?

No. Open the template and edit it in your browser. Your work saves on this device. An account is optional if you want to sync your workspace.

Can I export the finished diagram?

Yes. Use Export in the editor to save a PNG, SVG or PDF, or download an editable .epicdraw backup.