means doing something according to a plan or method.

The term "systematic" means doing something in a methodical, organized, and planned way. In the context of ISO 31000, the risk management process is explicitly defined as involving the "systematic application of policies, procedures and practices." This ensures that risk management is not an ad-hoc activity but a structured and repeatable process that follows a clear method to achieve consistent and comparable results. A systematic approach is fundamental to effectively integrating risk management into an organization's governance, strategy, and operations.

B. Comprehensive: This term refers to the scope or inclusiveness of the risk management approach, not the methodical way it is executed.
C. Formal: This relates to adherence to official rules or established conventions, which is distinct from following a methodical plan.
D. Informal: This implies a lack of structure or a pre-defined plan, which is the opposite of the described activity.

1. International Organization for Standardization. (2018). ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines. Section 6.1, General. The standard states, "The risk management process involves the systematic application of policies, procedures and practices to the activities of communicating and consulting, establishing the context and assessing, treating, monitoring, reviewing, recording and reporting risk."

2. Purdy, G. (2010). ISO 31000:2009—Setting a New Standard for Risk Management. Risk Analysis, 30(6), 881–886. In discussing the principles of the standard, the author notes that a systematic approach ensures that the process is orderly and efficient (p. 883). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01442.x

3. University of Queensland. (n.d.). Enterprise Risk Management Framework. Section 3.2, UQ Risk Management Process. The document, based on ISO 31000, describes the risk management process as a "systematic process" for making decisions to manage risk effectively.