Risk Breakdown Structure, RBS
Updated 2026-08-13
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
The Risk Breakdown Structure, analogous to a work breakdown structure, organizes risks into a tree by their source, with top-level categories such as technical, external, organizational, and project management risks, each decomposed into subcategories. Its core claim is that structuring risks hierarchically keeps identification systematic and complete rather than limited to what is already known, giving the project a full risk map. The conditions are that the tree be scanned node by node and updated as the project evolves.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Decompose by source: build the tree from top categories down to identifiable specific risks. - Scan node by node: work through each branch so no hidden category is missed. - Register and rank: place findings in the matching node and rate them there.
Anchor fast decisions
Mirroring the work breakdown structure, risks are decomposed hierarchically by source and category into a tree-shaped map, which forces systematic scanning and makes omissions far less likely than an unstructured brainstorm.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_breakdown_structureverified
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