RAID project management: meaning, benefits & tips

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6 min read. Updated on June 03, 2025

Elizabeth Openshaw (TCV)

Learn the most strategic approach when planning projects

Projects are a mainstay of most workplaces, ranging from short- to long-term, and involving small teams or entire departments. They can be pre-planned down to the nth degree or ad hoc to meet immediate demands. Regardless of scope or setup, effective project management – the structured use of processes and expertise to plan, execute, and oversee tasks that achieve specific objectives – is key to how successful they will be.

What does RAID stand for in project management?

One helpful project management framework is RAID, which stands for Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies. But what is RAID in project management, and why is it important?

Using a failsafe technique such as a RAID analysis comes in handy when approaching a project. It enhances team management by helping teams create strategies to pre-empt and avoid issues that could disrupt the project’s final outcome.

What Project Manager doesn’t love a handy acronym? Let’s look at each letter in more detail:

R is for Risks

For project management purposes, risks are uncertain events that can positively (opportunities) or negatively (threats) impact the success of a project. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, aren’t always predicted, and can be disruptive if not planned for.

An example of risk, in the case of a gas pipe installation project, could be the holding up of a shipment of much needed pipes, which has a knock-on effect down the line for a gas company’s operations.

Top tip: When conducting a RAID project management analysis, assess potential risks, detail them, and create a project implementation plan which will address those risks if it becomes necessary.

A is for Assumptions

These are foundational beliefs or statements that you believe to be true at the start of the project, without any evidence or proof. They are the foundations on which a project plan is developed.

An example of an assumption when doing RAID in project management could be believing all necessary permits for the gas pipe installation have been secured.

Top tip: Validate assumptions throughout each stage of the project; otherwise you run the risk of being wrong, which can delay the project or threaten its success.

I is for Issues

Issues are challenges or obstacles which have already happened, and which negatively impact the project’s progress. Early identification is key here by problem solving thoroughly to achieve a swift resolution with minimal disruption.

An example of an issue could be receiving a batch of faulty gas pipes that fail quality checks, delaying installation and requiring urgent supplier coordination to avoid further setbacks.

Top tip: Using an issue log can help track the phases of resolving any issues, from identification and analysis to developing a comprehensive resolution strategy.

D is for Dependencies

Any project will have tasks that are interrelated, so dependencies are tasks, activities, and milestones that are connected with one another, with some tasks needing to be completed in a particular order before other tasks can start.

An example of these dependencies could be completing groundwork and trench digging before gas pipes can be laid, ensuring installation proceeds without delays.

Top tip: Creating a dependency log will mean you can visualise all the interweaving aspects of each dependency, allowing for improved planning which leads to a reduced chance of delays and a smoother execution.

Why is RAID project management so important?

RAID project management is crucial to ensuring a project runs and is completed smoothly with as few hitches as possible. It helps each team involved to draft a full picture of limitations and potential pitfalls before starting a project. That way, any obstacles can be faced and overcome right from the start.

It’s well worth conducting an initial RAID analysis, then storing your findings in a RAID log, where risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are documented so can easily be referenced and tracked when required. This log is helpful as it:

Aids the Project Manager with monitoring progress
Provides a visible verification tool
Helps the team remember various tasks that need to be completed
Focuses the direction of meetings or discussions
Offers each team member a chance to raise any concerns
Provides a cohesive approach when addressing any challenges
Documents any resolutions

Setting up a RAID project management log: top tips

1. Identify a RAID log owner

Creating a RAID document is probably best done by the Project Manager, with input from various sources such as appropriate team members, the project sponsor, business partners, vendors, contractors, and any other relevant stakeholders.

It is also the Project Manager’s job to maintain the relevance of RAID project management items throughout the process, deciding the amount of detail needed for each.

2. Keep the log updated regularly

Use a spreadsheet or specialised project management software to note risks and set priority levels for each entry. The log should be created at the initial planning stage, and regularly organised according to the topics or items being monitored.

Updates can be conducted in meetings, with the frequency varying, but a good guide is to:

Update tasks on a daily basis
Update risks and assumptions at least once a month
Update issues depending on their severity and correlation with related actions
Update dependencies as needed, at least every month

Top tip: Delegate some of the updating tasks to trusted team members, who can change various areas under their remit.

3. Review and validate entries

Beyond regularly updating the log, ensure accuracy and relevance by cross-checking entries against actual project developments. Close risks, assumptions, and issues that are no longer applicable, and ensure dependencies reflect current priorities.

An outdated RAID log can be worse than useless, and can even go so far as to damage certain aspects of the project by leading to poor decision-making.

4. Avoid over-reliance on the RAID log

Be wary, though, of putting all your eggs into the RAID project management basket.

While it’s a very useful tool, it’s really just a shortcut for maintaining control of less visible parts of the project and organising information. Since it’s only as useful as the updates it receives, a RAID log should not be considered a complete source of project information.

Key thoughts on RAID project management

RAID project management isn’t just a useful tool; it’s a whole new way of thinking, especially for project leaders. Including RAID principles brings forth many benefits, such as identifying risks and issues before they become a huge problem and upset the whole project. Its structured approach serves as a valuable tool to steering your project to a successful conclusion.

Now that you have a good understanding of RAID project management, it’s time to showcase these skills in your CV. For guidance, check out our free CV review and get a headstart on any career change you’re planning. Upload your CV and see where it takes you!