Manage Your Projects Better with a RAID Log
Projects don’t work in a vacuum. You’ll need to mitigate risks. And you’ll encounter issues along the way. Knowing your key assumptions and project dependencies will help you control as much as you can and push for a positive outcome. Preparing for risks, resolving issues, and outlining assumptions and dependencies should be done before any project. Fine-tune your plans as you go and adjust them as needed.
The RAID log will help you to lay down all of these. Let’s take a closer look at what the RAID log is and how you can create one.
What is a RAID Log?
RAID stands for: Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies.
Let’s go over each component.
Risks
Risks are uncertainties and possible setbacks that you can encounter in the course of your project. Risks will harm your project. So the earlier you are aware of their possibility, the better you can prepare for them should they happen.
Assumptions
Assumptions represent any project factor or consideration that is set to be true and real without any empirical proof. While we do realize that projects don’t operate in a vacuum, it’s hard to plan a project without setting base assumptions to get you to success. Setting assumptions will help you manage and minimize the effects on your project should the assumptions turn out to be false.
Issues
Issues are known problems that need to be addressed or the project can be derailed. These are risks that have grown into actual issues that will impede the progress of the project or even cause it to fail. It’s important to address these issues as letting them linger can even cause more issues for you and your team.
Dependencies
Dependencies are interrelated tasks in your project. There are several types of project dependencies and ways to manage each. It’s important to identify your project dependencies early on to get a better idea on how to manage them. Not knowing and addressing these dependencies can also negatively affect the progress of your project.
How to Use the RAID Log Template
The RAID Log board template is simple and easy to use.
You will see a column for each component of the RAID Log. All you have to do is create a card for each risk, assumption, issue, or dependency you identify.
The template comes with preset labels for Risk, Assumption, Issue, and Dependency.
We also have card templates in our RAID Log board.
We’ve added placeholder details on each card to help when brainstorming with your team. You are free to customize these templates. Here’s how the card template looks like for risk cards.
All other templates have preset items listed on the card description. As you create your RAID log and discuss with your team, you’re ready to take notes and refer to them for easier decision-making.
Better Project Outcomes with the Right Preparation
Risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are inherent in any project. Properly identifying and addressing them are crucial to the success of any project. Failure to do so can result in missed deadlines, going over your project budget, and lower engagement and satisfaction from your team.
Using a RAID log will help you and your team be more prepared for what can happen to your project. It’s an effective management tool to keep your project on track and stay ahead of what can pull you from the finish line.
