ISO-31000-Lead-Risk-Manager practice question 1 of 35
New definition of risk under ISO 31000 and 31010 is:
Full set: 100 questionsDomain Fundamental principles and concepts of risk management
The official definition of risk in ISO 31000:2018 is the "effect of uncertainty on objectives." While none of the options provided are a verbatim match, option D is the closest and most appropriate description. It correctly captures the essential components of the ISO definition: the link between an uncertain event (expressed as "probability of an event") and its consequences ("impact") in relation to an organization's goals ("objectives"). This focus on objectives is the cornerstone of the ISO 31000 approach, distinguishing it from older, more limited definitions that focus solely on negative outcomes or specific domains like finance or insurance.
A. This is a traditional, narrow definition focusing only on negative consequences. ISO 31000 defines "effect" as a deviation from the expected, which can be positive (opportunity), negative (threat), or both.
B. This definition is too specific to the financial sector. The ISO 31000 standard is generic and designed to be applicable to any organization, activity, or sector, not just investment.
C. This is a highly specialized definition from the insurance industry. ISO 31000 provides a universal framework for risk management that extends far beyond insurable losses.
1. International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2018). ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines.
Section 3.1: Explicitly defines risk as the "effect of uncertainty on objectives." The notes further clarify that "An effect is a deviation from the expected — positive
negative or both" and "Objectives can have different aspects and categories
and can be applied at different levels." This supports why options A
B
and C are too narrow and why D
by linking impact to objectives
is the best choice.
2. Purdy
G. (2010). ISO 31000:2009—Setting a New Standard for Risk Management. Risk Analysis
30(6)
881-886.
Page 882: The article discusses the definition of risk in the standard as "the effect of uncertainty on objectives." It emphasizes that this definition is a significant departure from previous ones by being neutral (not just negative) and by directly linking risk to the organization's objectives
which aligns with the reasoning for selecting option D. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01442.x)
3. Leitch
M. (2010). ISO 31000:2009—The new international standard on risk management. Risk Analysis
30(6)
887-892.
Page 888: This paper highlights that the definition "effect of uncertainty on objectives" is a "keystone of the Standard." It explains that risk only exists in the context of objectives
reinforcing that any valid description of risk
like option D
must include this linkage. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01441.x)
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Other ISO-31000-Lead-Risk-Manager practice questions
- Question 2ISO uses the concept of uncertainty as the driver and rationale for risk management.
- Question 3Which type of risk remains after risk treatment has been applied?
- Question 4Risk management is tailored.
- Question 5Which of the following tools are used Risk managers for communication between stakeholder…
- Question 6means doing something according to a plan or method.
- Question 7Risk management takes human and cultural factors into account.
