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How to Use the Risk Appetite Console

The Risk Appetite Console lets Admins write Risk Appetite Statements, set Residual Risk thresholds, and monitor risks by category.

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Written by Nigel Groen
Updated over 3 weeks ago

a. Risk Appetite Background

  • A Risk Appetite Statement describes the amount and type of risk an organization is willing to take in pursuit of its objectives.

  • These are typically expressed in terms of Residual Risk and may be qualitative, quantitative, or both.

  • Setting Risk Appetite thresholds helps with:

    • Building consensus among stakeholders

    • Establishing business monitoring and governance processes

Organizations often start with a general statement and refine it by risk category.

b. Editing Risk Appetite Text

  • Admin Users can click directly on text to edit

  • Each field accepts up to 1,000 characters

  • Only the first 250 characters show in category columns (full text appears on hover)

  • Standard and Read Only Users can view only

c. Setting Risk Appetite Thresholds

  • Admins can click the “Set Risk Threshold” link at the bottom of the console

  • Set upper and lower Residual Risk thresholds by category

  • Thresholds:

    • Apply to all portfolios

    • Are saved immediately

    • Update both this chart and the Risk Details screen

Thresholds can be configured only at the category level (not subcategories).

d. Category Columns & Status Indicators

  • Each category column shows:

    • Gray circles for risks, plotted by Residual Risk score (1–25)

    • Blue bars showing the upper and lower thresholds

    • A status label at the top of the column

Status meanings:

  • Above (red): At least one risk is above the upper threshold

  • Within (green): All risks fall within the thresholds

  • Below (blue): At least one risk is below the lower threshold and none are above

  • No data (gray): No risks are mapped or scored in that category

Users can hover over a circle to see the risk name or click to open its Risk Details screen.

Up to 8 risks per score are shown per row. If more exist, a “See All” link appears to open a filtered view in the Enterprise Risk Console.

e. Using Risk Appetite Filters

All user types can use filters in the Risk Appetite Console.

  • Empty categories: Unchecking the box removes categories with no risks

  • Top risks only: By default, the top 50 risks by rank are shown

  • Show all risks: Use the dropdown to display all risks if desired

  • Suppressed risks: Optional filter to display risks with thresholds manually suppressed

    • Suppressed risks appear as pink circles

  • Filter by Owner or Business Area: Shows only risks assigned to that person or tag

  • Filter by Portfolio: Available only if the Portfolio feature is enabled

    • Admins see all portfolios

    • Standard and Read Only Users see only what they’re assigned

  • Date selector: Shows risks and scores based on a past date

    • Click Clear to return to today’s data

Categories with more than 6 entries can be scrolled horizontally using arrows.

f. Creating Screen Prints of the Console

  • Essential ERM does not currently support built-in printing of this chart

  • Users often use:

    • Snipping Tool (included in most Windows systems) to create PNG images

    • Approved Chrome extensions (with IT permission) to take full-page screenshots in PNG or PDF

  • Tracker Networks does not endorse or support third-party extensions, so consult your IT department before installing anything

Applies to: Admin Users, Standard Users, Read Only Users

Keywords: risk appetite, residual risk, thresholds, category status, risk chart, appetite console, filters, screen capture, risk statements

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