Risk-informed decision making is about understanding potential impacts, implementing reasonable safeguards, and making thoughtful decisions about how to move forward.
The D.U.C.K. Process
We designed the D.U.C.K Risk Assessment Tool to help you look ahead, check for risks, and find useful resources while planning your project or event.
- Detect Concerns: Spot potential risks
- Understand Impacts: See how likely a risk is and what could happen
- Control Risks: Apply practical risk controls and plans
- Keep Monitoring: Track your activities, look at the results, and save lessons learned.
Plan Ahead
Before you begin the assessment:
Most activities can proceed safely with thoughtful planning. The D.U.C.K Risk Assessment Tool helps you identify potential risks, evaluate their significance, and consider reasonable mitigation strategies. The goal is not to eliminate all risk, but to support informed decisions and successful outcomes.
Complete this assessment in consultation with others involved in planning the event, activity, or project.
Post Activity
The after-action review is designed to help you capture lessons learned, what worked or didn't and turn real-world outcomes into better future planning.
D.U.C.K Reflection and After-Action Review
Resources and Definitions
Risk is uncertainty. Some uncertainties create challenges, while others create opportunities. Understanding risk helps us make better decisions, prepare for what might happen, and improve the likelihood of achieving our goals.
What is a risk matrix? A risk matrix helps evaluate and prioritize risk by considering both likelihood and impact. It helps identify which risks may require additional attention, planning, or mitigation.
What is likelihood? Likelihood is the chance that a risk, event, or issue could occur. When evaluating likelihood, consider past experience, the activity being performed, the environment, and any controls already in place.
What is impact? Impact is the potential consequence if a risk, event, or issue occurs. Impacts may affect people, operations, finances, property, compliance obligations, research activities, reputation, or the University's mission.
Questions?
If you would like assistance using the D.U.C.K. tools or evaluating a specific activity, Risk Management & Insurance is available to provide guidance email riskmanagement@uoregon.edu.