Risk Assessment Resources

The D.U.C.K Risk Assessment Tool is designed to help event and project planners make informed decisions by identifying potential risks, evaluating their significance, and considering reasonable mitigation strategies. Rather than eliminate all risk, 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

The D.U.C.K Risk Assessment Tool is designed to help you check for risks and find useful resources while planning your project or event. A key goal of this process is to encourage discussion and proactive risk management.

  • 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
Complete this assessment in consultation with others involved in planning the event, activity, or project.
D.U.C.K Risk Assessment Tool
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
Additional Resource
Use this guide to help understand how to rate risks and further your expertise.
D.U.C.K Guide to Risk Assessment and Planning

Definitions

  • 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.  
  • Likelihood - 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. Consider time when thinking about likelihood, could this happen in five years?
  • Impact - 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.