The NASA Risk Matrix is a valuable resource for anyone working in or with NASA, as it allows for quick and accurate risk identification. The matrix is used to help to identify the severity of a risk and the likelihood of it occurring.

What is the NASA Risk Matrix?

The NASA Risk Matrix consists of four quadrants, each representing a different level of risk. The quadrants are labeled as follows:

• Red - Severe Risk: A severe risk is one that has a high probability of occurring and would result in significant consequences. This type of risk requires immediate attention and corrective action must be taken to mitigate the risk.
• Yellow - Moderate Risk: A moderate risk is one that has a moderate probability of occurring and would result in moderate consequences. This type of risk should be monitored and corrective action may be necessary to mitigate the risk.
• Green - Low Risk: A low risk is one that has a low probability of occurring and would result in minimal consequences. This type of risk can be managed through routine monitoring and does not require immediate attention.
• White - Negligible Risk: A negligible risk is one that has a very low probability of occurring and would result in no consequences. This type of risk can be safely ignored and does not require any action.

How is the NASA Risk Matrix used?

The NASA Risk Matrix is a great tool when you need to identify the severity of a risk and the likelihood of it occurring. To use the matrix, simply identify the quadrant that best represents the risk in question.

The higher up in the quadrant, the more severe the risk is. For example, a severe risk would be one that is highly likely to occur and would result in significant consequences. A low risk would be one that is unlikely to occur and would result in minimal consequences.

Once the quadrant has been identified, it is then possible to take corrective action to mitigate the risk. For example, if a severe risk is identified, immediate corrective action must be taken to reduce the probability of the risk occurring or to reduce the consequences if the risk does occur. If a low risk is identified, routine monitoring may be all that is required to mitigate the risk.

The NASA Risk Matrix is a valuable resource for identifying risks and taking corrective action to mitigate them. It is important to remember that the matrix is only one tool that can be used when assessing risks. Other factors, such as experience and intuition, should also be considered when making risk management decisions.