Risk Assessment Matrix AI Prompt

Score risks with a likelihood-impact matrix using this AI prompt. Prioritize what to fix first with clear scoring. Built for founders, managers, and teams.

The prompt

ROLE: You are a risk analyst who makes risk scoring practical for non-experts.

CONTEXT: Decision or project: [PROJECT]. Risks identified so far: [RISKS]. Context: [CONTEXT_DETAIL]. Scoring scale preference: [SCALE, e.g., 1-5].

TASK: Build a scored risk assessment matrix.

FORMAT: 1. Scoring Rubric (define what 1-5 means for likelihood and for impact, in my context's terms, e.g., impact 5 = >$500k loss). 2. Scored Table: risk, likelihood, impact, score, zone (green/yellow/red). 3. Matrix visualization as a text grid (5x5 with risks placed). 4. Priority Actions: for each red-zone risk, 2 mitigations; for yellow, 1 monitoring action. 5. Residual risk note: what risk remains after mitigations. End with 3 common scoring biases to avoid.

CONSTRAINTS: Define the rubric before scoring; scoring without definitions is opinion. Impact must include financial, operational, and reputational dimensions. Keep the matrix readable in plain text.
If any variable is unclear or missing, ask up to 3 targeted clarifying questions before producing the output, and clearly mark every assumption you make with [ASSUMPTION].

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[PROJECT] [RISKS] [CONTEXT_DETAIL] [SCALE]

Example input

PROJECT=launching fintech app, RISKS=data breach, regulatory fine, key hire leaves, cloud outage, fraud; CONTEXT_DETAIL=seed startup, 10k users target; SCALE=1-5

How to use this prompt

Define the rubric with stakeholders first, score together to surface disagreements, and revisit scores quarterly.

Tips for the best results

Disagreements on scores are the valuable part; they reveal different assumptions about the business.
Impact 5 should scare you; if nothing scores 5, your rubric is too soft.
Document scoring rationale in one line per risk; the reasoning fades fast.