Risk management in Wrike is an area where teams develop sophisticated approaches beyond simply marking tasks red.
The range of setups spans dashboard monitoring to full RAID log implementations to third-party risk management programmes.
A common structured approach is a RAID log folder within each project, populated from the project blueprint. Custom item types track risks, assumptions, issues, decisions, and enhancements within a RAID folder.
Another similar approach is a RAID log that loads via blueprint for all projects, with a checkbox that copies flagged items into a global lessons-learned folder for future reference. You can use a custom table view to monitor RAID items, workflow, and fields. The practical principle is to monitor more than you think you need to. Anyone on the team is concerned about something, no matter how small, it should be logged.
Custom item types and workflows for risk tracking
Using a task Custom Item Type for risk items, with custom fields covering risk categories, analysis, and strategy, allows you to report on which categories carry the most risk across the portfolio. A custom table view inside the project or portfolio visualises the risk register. A custom workflow communicates the current status of each risk immediately. The status name tells you whether the risk is being monitored, is being mitigated, has been accepted, or is closed.
Dashboards and automations for early warning
Several teams use dashboards as their primary risk visibility tool rather than dedicated risk items. Separate dashboards for each team showing overdue tasks, unassigned tasks, approaching due dates, and all active tasks are especially useful when a team member is out and deadlines are approaching.
Automations notify the necessary team members when due dates are nearing or have passed. A “Waiting on more info” status in a custom workflow identifies when tasks are hitting a major roadblock. An automation pings the assignee to comment with a description of the problem and mentions their project manager. A dashboard widget pulls all stalled tasks together and the team reviews them at biweekly PM meetings. The automation makes sure the project manager is notified the moment something stalls.