RAID Analysis: Identify Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies for Project Success

RAID analysis is a powerful project management technique that helps teams proactively identify and track potential roadblocks before they derail your project. This structured approach captures four critical elements—Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies—providing a comprehensive view of factors that could impact your project's success.

What Is a RAID Analysis?

RAID analysis is a strategic planning framework that breaks down project uncertainties into four distinct categories:

  1. Risks: Potential future events that might negatively impact your project
  2. Assumptions: Factors you believe to be true but haven't verified
  3. Issues: Current problems already affecting your project
  4. Dependencies: External elements, resources, or deliverables your project relies on

Originally developed for IT projects, RAID analysis has become a versatile tool across industries for identifying and managing project variables. Unlike more casual risk assessment methods, RAID provides a structured approach to cataloging and addressing potential challenges throughout the project lifecycle.

Benefits & When to Use RAID Analysis

RAID analysis is particularly valuable:

  • At project kickoff to establish a baseline understanding of challenges
  • During major project phase transitions when new risks may emerge
  • When experiencing unexpected roadblocks and needing to reassess
  • For complex projects with multiple stakeholders or dependencies
  • When transparency about potential issues is essential for stakeholder trust

Benefits include:

  • Improved risk management through early identification and mitigation
  • Enhanced team alignment on project challenges and dependencies
  • Better resource allocation by anticipating potential blockers
  • Increased project transparency for stakeholders and team members
  • Continuous project monitoring through regular RAID log updates

How to Run a RAID Analysis Session

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

    • Explain the purpose of RAID analysis and each category
    • Clarify the difference between risks (potential future problems) and issues (current problems)
    • Set expectations for the collaborative nature of the session

  2. Individual Brainstorming (10 minutes)

    • Have all participants independently add sticky notes to each quadrant
    • For Risks: Identify potential future problems that might impact the project
    • For Assumptions: Document things believed to be true but not confirmed
    • For Issues: Note current problems already affecting the team
    • For Dependencies: List external factors needed for project success

  3. Group Discussion (15-20 minutes)

    • Take turns reviewing contributions in each quadrant
    • Remove duplicates and clarify ambiguous items
    • Discuss severity, likelihood, and potential impact of each item
    • Consolidate similar items where appropriate

  4. Prioritization & Action Planning (15 minutes)

    • Identify high-priority items requiring immediate attention
    • Assign owners to track and address key items
    • Determine mitigation strategies for significant risks
    • Document verification plans for critical assumptions

  5. Establish Review Cadence (5 minutes)

    • Set a schedule for revisiting the RAID analysis (typically every 1-4 weeks)
    • Determine how updates will be tracked between sessions
    • Assign responsibility for maintaining the RAID log

Tips for a Successful RAID Analysis

  • Be specific when describing each item—vague descriptions lead to vague actions
  • Distinguish clearly between risks and issues—this is a common point of confusion
  • Use the participant highlight feature (click participant icons) to track who contributed which items
  • Keep your RAID log living—it should evolve throughout the project lifecycle
  • Focus on actionable items rather than creating an exhaustive list of every possible concern
  • Balance honesty with constructiveness—RAID analysis should identify challenges without becoming a complaint session
  • Consider probability and impact when prioritizing which items to address first
  • Revisit regularly—a one-time RAID analysis provides limited value compared to ongoing tracking

When conducted effectively, RAID analysis transforms from a simple documentation exercise into a powerful risk management tool that helps your team anticipate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain focus on project success.

Use this template