Operational Risk
Operational Risk
Operational Risk
It is a type of business that arises from the day to day activities and operations of the business
According to Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2011) It is one of the key components
of business management and can pose a significant threat to organization’s financial stability
and ability to achieve their objectives.
Introduction
Introduction
Residual risk- The portion of the total risk that remains after mitigation
measures have been employed. Residual risk comprises acceptable and
unidentified risk.
Acceptable risk- These are the risks that are acceptable in order to meet
objectives. Acceptable risk include the residual and unidentified risks
determined to be acceptable based on the importance of meeting the
organization’s objectives.
Unacceptable risk- The portion of identified risk that cannot be tolerated
which is viewed as seriously detrimental to the attaining of the
organization’s objectives and must be either controlled or avoided.
Introduction
Operational risks is one of the major risk categories that organizations face,
alongside credit risk, market risk, and liquidity risk.
They occur in any organization, including financial institutions, health care
providers, and manufacturing companies like Delta Beverages Company.
Operational risks arise from internal and external factors that can cause
disruptions or disturbances to the smooth flow of an organization’s processes
resulting in significant losses.
Operational risks excludes risks which result in losses from poor business
decisions. They will generally stem from weak management, from outsourcing
non strategic activities, or from external factors.
Operational risks
There are a few different categories of operational risks that are commonly
used to help organizations identify and manage their risks.
The first category is internal operations, which include factors such as
employee errors, process failures, and business management mistakes that
occur within the business entity itself.
The second category are external factors that are induced by external
parties that pose a serious risk to the business organization such as natural
disasters, cyber attacks, and political events.
The third category are strategic risks, which are related to the
organization’s strategy and vision.
Operational risks
As companies grow, innovate and embrace digitalization over time, they must set up
agile practices in the management of their operational risk.
This includes the effectiveness and efficiency of their control environment to facilitate
informed decision making, achieve strategic goals and meet the rising expectations of
both internal and external stakeholders, such as regulators, investors and consumers.
The Operational Risk Process is articulated over five pillars;
Risk appetite
Risk identification
Risk mitigation
Risk monitoring
Operational Risks
6th Outsourcing and Vendor Management: Evaluate the organization’s outsourcing practices and vendor
management processes to identify operational risks arising from reliance on third party providers.
7th Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Assess the organization’s compliance with applicable laws,
regulations, and industry standards to identify potential operational risks associated with non compliance or
legal disputes.
8th Incident Management: Review the organization’s incident management processes, including reporting,
investigation, and corrective action procedures, to ensure that operational risks are promptly identified and
addressed.
9th Monitoring and Reporting: Evaluate the organization’s monitoring and reporting mechanisms for
operational risks, including key risk indicators, risk appetite frameworks, and regular reporting to senior
management and the board of directors.
10th Continuous Improvement: Assess the organization’s practices for learning from past operational
incidents and near-misses, including post incident reviews, lessons learned and continuous improvement
initiatives.
Operational Risks Pillars
Operational Risks Pillars
1. Risk Identification
Operational Risks Pillars
2. Risk Assessment and Measurement- Risk and assessment is another crucial pillar in
managing operational risks. It involves evaluating the identified risks in terms of their
potential impact and likelihood, as well as assessing effectiveness of existing controls and
mitigation strategies.
The process of risk assessment begins by assigning a level of severity or potential impact
to each identified risk. This can be done by considering factors such as financial loss,
reputation damage, regulatory non- compliance, and operational disruptions. The
likelihood of each risk occurring is also assessed, taking into account historical data,
industry trends, and expert judgment.
To measure and quantify the risks, various techniques can be used such as numerical
scales, risk matrices or qualitative assessments. By assigning values or scores to risks,
organizations can prioritize and compare them based on their level of significance.
Operational Risks Pillars
3rd Risk Transfer- Risk transfer involves shifting the responsibility for
managing risks to another party. This can be done thorough insurance policies,
contracts, or outsourcing arrangements. By transferring risks to external
entities, organizations can alleviate some of the financial burden and increase
their ability to respond to incidents.
4th Risk Acceptance- In certain cases, organizations may choose to accept the
risks associated with certain activities or situations. This strategy is often
employed when the cost of mitigation measures exceeds the potential losses or
when the risks are deemed acceptable within predefined risk tolerance levels.
Risk acceptance does not mean negligence but rather a conscious decision
based on informed analysis.
Operational Risks Pillars
4. Risk Monitoring
Operational Risks Pillars
4. Risk Monitoring- Risk monitoring is an essential pillar of operational risk management. It involves
the continuous and systematic tracking, analyzing of operational risks within the organization. This
proactive approach helps identify potential risks, assess their likelihood and impact, and determine the
appropriate risk mitigation measures. The process of risk monitoring includes several key steps;
1st Identification and categorization of risks: The first step is to identify and categorize all potential
operational risks that may impact an organization’s objectives. These risks can vary from internal factors
like process failures, technology glitches, or employee conduct to external factors such as regulatory
changes or natural disasters.
2nd Risk measurement and Assessment
3rd Monitoring and early warning systems- Monitoring the identified risks is crucial to detect any
changes or emerging trends that require attention and action. By setting up monitoring systems,
organizations can continuously gather and analyze data related to operational risks. This helps identify
early warning signs and triggers that indicate a potential risk event or a deviation from established risk
tolerance levels.
Operational Risks Pillars
5. Risk Reporting and Communication- Risk reporting and communication is a critical pillar of
operational risk management. It involves the effective dissemination of risk- related information to key
stakeholders within an organization to enable informed decision making and proactive risk management.
The goal of risk reporting and communication is to ensure transparency, accountability, and a shared
understanding of the organization’s risk profile. The process of risk reporting and communication
includes the following key elements;
1st Risk identification and assessment: Before effective risk reporting can take place, it is essential to
identify and assess the various operational risks faced by the organization, This involves evaluating the
likelihood and potential impact of each risk. Risk assessments can be conducted through quantitative
models, qualitative analysis, or a combination of both.
2nd Risk reporting framework- Organizations need to establish a risk reporting framework that outlines
the structure, format, and frequency of risk reporting . This framework should define the roles and
responsibilities of the individuals involved in the reporting process, as well as the channels through
which risk information should be communicated.
Operational Risks Pillars
3rd Risk dashboards and metrics: Risk reporting often involves the use of risk dashboards and key
risk indicators (KRIs) to provide an easily understandable snapshot of the organization’s risk profile.
These visual representations can include charts, graphs, and other visual elements that highlight the
most critical risks and their current status.
4th Timely Reporting- Risk reporting should be timely, providing relevant and up to date information
to stakeholders. Regular reporting intervals, such as monthly, quarterly, or annual reports, should be
established to ensure consistency and to monitor changes in risk levels over time. In addition to
regular reporting, ad- hoc reports may be necessary for significant risk events or emerging risks.
5th Stakeholder Communication- Effective communication of risk information is crucial to ensure
that it is understood and acted upon. Both formal and informal communication channels should be
utilized to reach different stakeholders, such as senior management, board members, department
heads, and operational staff. Clear and concise language should be used to convey complex risk
concepts.
Operational Risks Pillars
6th Risk culture and awareness: Risk reporting and communication also
contribute to building a strong culture within the organization. By consistently
communication risk- related information, organizations can raise awareness of
operational risks and promote a risk aware mindset among employees . This can
lead to more effective risk management practices throughout the entire
organization.
By prioritizing risk reporting and communication, organizations can enhance
their ability to identify, assess, and respond to operational risks. It facilitates the
involvement of key stakeholders in risk management, promotes accountability,
and empowers decision makers with the necessary information to make
informed choices.