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Poole College of Management
Enterprise Risk Management Initiative

Briefs and Insights

May 1, 2011

A Comprehensive Guide to Risk Appetite and Risk Tolerance

With the scarcity of useful guidance to help organizations determine risk appetite and risk tolerance, the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) is seeking to clarify and produce guidance to more effectively communicate an understanding of risk appetite. As a result, IRM released a consultation paper with detailed approaches for developing and using risk appetite and risk tolerance in risk management. In addition to the guidance provided, questions are listed throughout the document with the suggestion that they be asked in the boardroom to ensure that risk appetite and risk tolerance are being adequately addressed.

Apr 1, 2011

Homeland Security Risk Management Fundamentals

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a critical role in leading a unified effort in the management of the diverse and complex set of risks facing the United States. To strengthen capabilities in fulfilling its mission, DHS has created a Risk Management Fundamentals to provide a structured approach for the distribution and use of risk information and analysis efforts across the Department. The publication lists key principles, discusses approaches, and explains the process of effective risk management intended for DHS organizations and personnel to adopt.

Jan 3, 2011

Increasing Complexity Creates Challenges for Risk Management

Managing complexity is quickly becoming one of the greatest challenges for large organizations today. A white paper published by KPMG presents findings related to a study of the causes and impact of complexity affecting large companies. The pace of change and global interconnections in business have resulted in increasing complexity, creating significant risk management challenges for companies. Increased risks to manage emerged as one of the greatest challenges created by complexity, according to the study.

Jan 1, 2011

Assessing and Managing Risks Related to Intangible Assets

Given that intangible assets correspond to roughly 80 percent of the value of today's corporations, it is essential that companies improve risk governance practices concerning intangible assets to mitigate against the related risks. In an article from Corporate Finance Review, the authors discuss the evolution of ERM and recommend changes to the management of intangible assets as a way of enhancing enterprise value. In addition, key elements of an ideal oversight system are reviewed.

Dec 1, 2010

A Four-Step Risk Approach to Strategy Execution

Organizations are seeing the value of adopting a risk-based approach to execute strategies in order to survive in a post-recession world. This approach enables managers to focus on opportunities in strategic plans, as well as minimizing the potential impact of threats. A recent article in the Journal of Business Strategy outlines four steps to execute a strategy using a risk-based approach.

Sep 30, 2010

Data Risk Management – Applying a Holistic Approach

Due to the increasing costs associated with protecting and maintaining data, a holistic approach to data risk management is becoming essential to organizations. A whitepaper published by IBM discusses the framework and practices involved in using a holistic approach for implementing data risk management programs across organizations.

Sep 1, 2010

Risk Management Practices that are Working for Public and Private Sectors

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Risk Management and Analysis conducted a survey to see what actions are being taken by both public and private sector organizations with respect to their enterprise risk management efforts. They found that there is a focus on integrating risk management and analysis across organizations, finding how risk management is aligned within the organizational structure, and which risk analysis techniques are seen as successful from the participants. Some of the major contrasts between the public and private sector participants are highlighted as well.

Jul 1, 2010

Balancing Risk Appetite and Strategy Execution

Good risk management involves making informed and rational decisions considering the risks the company wants to take in pursuit of its objectives and regarding the measures used to mitigate and manage risks. This publication explores how companies can effectively define risk appetite, risk tolerance, and risk targets to execute strategies and perform effective risk management to gain a competitive advantage.

Jun 28, 2010

Aligning Risk Appetite and Risk Exposure

The devastating effects of the global credit crisis can be linked to the failure of organizations to embed risk management within the foundation of strategic and operational processes. Now, increased pressures from all around call for an integrated and aligned approach to risk management. This white-paper explores how organizations can effectively align performance and risk management processes to not only reduce risk but also embrace opportunities.

Jun 11, 2010

Current State of the Internal Audit Profession and Risk Oversight

Discover PwC's 6th annual internal audit profession report, revealing insights from over 2,000 auditors across 50+ territories.