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Using and Managing the Risk Voting Feature in Essential ERM

Risk Voting lets organizations collect stakeholders' risk input without full system access. Voting results help inform scoring decisions.

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Written by Nigel Groen
Updated this week

What Is Risk Voting?

Risk Voting allows users (including executives, infrequent users, and external stakeholders) to score risks using a simplified, web-based interface on any device (phone, tablet, computer).
Voters do not need login credentials, making the process more inclusive.


Voting Formats

  • Live Workshops – Real-time voting during a session.

  • Distributed Voting – Voters participate over a defined period (1 hour to 30 days).


Creating and Launching a Risk Vote

You can launch a vote from either the Enterprise Risk Console or a Risk Details screen (Admin users only):

From Enterprise Risk Console:

  1. Click "Create Risk Vote" (top-right)

  2. Configure the vote:

    • Select risks (use filters if needed)

    • Name the vote (optional)

    • Choose which risk details to show (e.g., Impact, Likelihood, Control Effectiveness, etc.)

    • Select voters (Admin, Standard, Read-Only, or Contributor users)

    • Set a vote duration (default: 72 hours, max: 30 days)

    • Save or Save and Send (to launch vote and send invitations)

From Risk Details Screen:

  • Click "Create Risk Vote" for that specific risk and follow the same configuration steps.

⚠️ Votes can only be edited before activation. Once activated, changes aren’t allowed. Tip: set a long duration and close manually if needed.

Vote Managers

  • Admin users can assign other Admin users as Vote Managers.

  • Power users cannot assign Vote Managers and may only manage the votes they create.


How Voters Access and Submit Votes

Option 1: Email Invitation

  • Voters receive a direct link to the vote.

Option 2: PIN Access

  • Visit erm.vote, enter email + 4-digit PIN (provided in Vote Details).

  • Ideal for workshops or fast access.

The Voting Response Window:

  • Works on mobile, tablet, or desktop.

  • Voters select dropdown values (and can comment if enabled).

  • Click ⓘ for field-specific help.

  • Navigate across risks if voting on more than one.

  • Responses are saved automatically and editable until the vote expires or is manually closed.


Monitoring and Managing Votes

Vote Explorer (Admin Only)

  • Access via top menu (if voting is enabled).

  • View and filter all current/past votes.

  • See who voted (green) vs. pending (white).

Vote Details Screen

  • Shows vote name, setup, included risks, and voter response status.

  • Edit options (only before activation).

  • Admins can end the vote early with “End Now.”


How Results Are Used

  • Results are linked to each risk and displayed in the Vote Details screen.

  • Risk scores are not automatically updated, but vote input is stored for Admin review.


Applies To

  • Admin Users

  • Standard Users

  • Contributors

  • External Participants


Key Terms

Risk Voting, Voting Response Window, Vote Explorer, Vote Details Screen, Contributor Access, PIN, Email Invite, Risk Score Input, Live Voting, Distributed Voting, Vote Activation

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