Powering Strong Communities

Risk Management Toolkit for Public Power Utilities

The Risk Management Toolkit for Public Power Utilities offers utility leaders guidance and tools to help them in proactively identifying and assessing risks, developing tailored risk management strategies, and effectively communicating risk information to leadership and stakeholders. The toolkit also includes practices for continuously monitoring and adjusting risk management efforts to adapt to changing conditions. By leveraging this toolkit, utilities can build resilience, ensure sustainable operations, and make informed decisions in the face of evolving risks.

The toolkit consists of three volumes: Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Mitigation and Communication.

Volume I: Risk Identification

Volume I of the toolkit is designed to support public power utilities in their path to establishing an enterprise risk management, or ERM, program. This volume serves as the foundational step in helping utility leaders in building an ERM framework tailored for their unique needs and challenges, and includes:

  • Definitions of types of risk
  • Common roles in ERM programs
  • Guidance for conducting risk identification workshops
  • How to create a risk register

Downloads for Volume I

To learn more, watch the recording of our one-hour webinar, Risk Management Toolkit: Volume I (December 5, 2024).

Volume II: Risk Assessment

Volume II of the toolkit offers guidance for public power utilities in assessing and prioritizing risks as they continue to establish their ERM program. This volume builds upon the foundational knowledge gained in Volume I, and includes:

  • Developing risk assessment criteria
  • Detail of the risk scoring process
  • Guidance for evaluating risk based on likelihood and impact
  • Assessing risk tolerance and prioritizing mitigations

Downloads for Volume II

 

Volume III: Risk Mitigation and Communication

Volume III provides strategies for mitigating the risks identified in Volumes I and II, plus guidance on effectively communicating about your risk management efforts to leadership and other stakeholders. This includes:

  • Prioritizing risks and selecting the appropriate risk treatment for each risk
  • Establishing Key Risk Indicators and developing a mitigation plan
  • Outlining a plan for communicating about the ERM program to key audiences
  • Sample messages for communicating about risk management

Downloads for Volume III

View a rundown of the key terms used in the toolkit.