Episode 56 — Assigning Risk Owners and Action Owners
Clear ownership is the backbone of effective risk management. This episode distinguishes between a risk owner—the person accountable for monitoring and deciding future actions—and an action owner—the individual or team responsible for executing a specific response. The PMI-RMP exam frequently tests this difference, embedding clues about accountability and authority within scenarios. You will learn how to assign ownership logically based on influence, expertise, and decision rights, not simply organizational hierarchy. Proper ownership ensures that when triggers fire, action occurs quickly with no ambiguity.
We explore examples such as assigning a vendor manager as the risk owner for supply delays, with procurement staff as action owners for contract modifications. Best practices include documenting ownership in the register, confirming understanding during governance meetings, and reviewing assignments at phase gates to reflect personnel changes. Troubleshooting coverage includes owners without authority to act, shared ownership that diffuses accountability, and outdated contact information that slows escalation. Strong governance ties every open risk to a living name, ensuring accountability is real—a habit that aligns perfectly with the PMI-RMP exam’s emphasis on traceable responsibility. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
