What does the RAID acronym mean in Project Management?

Use a RAID Log to keep control of your project

Every project is different, and projects typically have lots of moving parts. Project Managers use RAID Logs to stay on top of all the moving parts and to inform regular routine meetings that track each RAID item, its associated owner, and what the next steps are for that item.

Answers to your RAID Log FAQs

Explanations and Examples for you

1. RISKS – A negative factor that might happen. If it does happen, it will have a negative effect on your project. Score your risks with Likelihood and Impact. e.g.
   1. There is a risk that the project sponsor will stop funding the project.
   2. There is a risk that people will not buy our product
2. ASSUMPTIONS – This is something that you believe will happen, and you need to keep track of it to check that it will happen. e.g.
   1. We assume that people will still be eating cereal in 2021.
   2. We assume that there will be enough finance to borrow £xm in 2022.
   3. The Price of widgets will remain below USD 234.50 per kilo.
3. ISSUES – These are problems that are definitely happening. Risks can become issues. e.g.
   1. Not enough budget to run phase 2 of our project.
   2. The expert kite maker is leaving the company.
4. DEPENDENCIES – These are things or processes that your project is reliant on. e.g.
   1. Raw materials delivered to manufacturing plant.
   2. Widget boxes delivered before 24th July 2023.

Summarize your RAID Items with a Dashboard

Conduct Regular RAID updates to prioritize actions

Project managers typically use a RAID Log to track project risk each week with regular meetings. For many, this is their favorite tool to monitor and track the impact caused by project changes. RAID logs are also essential to manage and prioritize the actions across the project team.

RAID Log Tips

1. Track your RAID items regularly: Make sure you don’t forget or neglect your RAID items in large projects and programs! Use a RAID log as your living document so that you can track in real-time these risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies as they develop.
2. Use an Excel Template: While you can use project management software to help with RAID management, it is often better to use a simple excel spreadsheet, so that the team can all access and read the document easily.
3. Create a RAID Log Dashboard: An Excel RAID Log with a dashboard helps you organize your RAID log in an impressive form. This RAID Log Excel Template makes it easy for you to see at-a-glance how your company is performing, so you can take corrective action quickly if needed.