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IT project risk register template (Excel)

Likelihood and impact scoring, heat map, owners, mitigations and status. Free download in Excel.

CM-TPL-PLN-02Plan phaseExcelFree
Download Excel (.xlsx)
Free download

Download the risk register template

Record, score and manage migration risks with owners, mitigations, triggers and a live heat map.

Download Excel (.xlsx)

Free to use and adapt. Document ID CM-TPL-PLN-02, version 1.0, November 2026.

What's inside

What the template includes

Sheet: Risks

17 columns, with dropdowns, formulas and 15 example rows:

IDCategoryRisk (cause, event, effect)Likelihood (1-5)Impact (1-5)ScoreRatingOwnerMitigation (reduce likelihood)Contingency (reduce impact)Trigger / early warningDate raisedNext reviewStatusResidual LResidual IResidual score

Sheet: Heat map

8 columns, formulas and 5 example rows:

LikelihoodDescriptorImpact 1 MinimalImpact 2 MinorImpact 3 ModerateImpact 4 MajorImpact 5 SevereOpen risks

Sheet: Scoring guide

5 columns and 5 example rows:

ScoreLikelihoodImpact: scheduleImpact: business / usersImpact: data / compliance
How to use it

How to use this template

  1. Write each risk as cause, event and effect: "Because X, Y may happen, resulting in Z".
  2. Score likelihood and impact 1-5 using the Scoring guide; the score and rating calculate automatically (15+ High, 8-14 Medium, under 8 Low).
  3. Every risk needs a named owner, a mitigation (reduce likelihood), a contingency (reduce impact) and an early-warning trigger.
  4. Review open risks weekly; record residual scores after mitigation and close risks that can no longer occur.
  5. The Heat map sheet counts open risks per likelihood and impact cell from the Risks sheet; paste it into the steering committee report.
Built to a standard

Ready to share with your steering committee

  • Branded cover or instructions page with document ID and version
  • QR code linking to the latest version, and a Code128 barcode for your document register
  • Document control, approval block and a clear disclaimer
  • Example rows written for real migration projects, which you replace with your own
Use it with

Guides that use this template

How to apply the Essential Eight to Microsoft 365 after a migrationMicrosoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migration: the complete guide
FAQ

Questions about this template

Is the risk register template free?

Yes. Download it in Excel and adapt it for your organisation. No sign-up is needed.

Can I use it in Google Sheets or Google Docs?

Yes. Upload the file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets or Docs. Dropdowns and most formulas carry across; check conditional formatting after converting.

Can I remove the Cloud-Migrations branding?

Yes. Replace the logo and footer with your own. Keep the disclaimer in mind: the template is general guidance and needs adapting to your project.

How do I know I have the latest version?

Scan the QR code on the cover or instructions sheet. It opens this page, which always links to the current version.