Risk-based thinking as a strategy on universities

In my humble opinion I see the risk-based thinking not as a strategy but as an approach to set priorities of action either to meet desired results or to avoid undesired results.

In the picture above, I use the word customer but for universities it is much more helpful to use interested parties: what society at large wants or expects from universities; what employers want or expect from universities; what politicians, what scholars and researchers, what students and their families want or expect from universities, … 

I apply the risk-based thinking at three levels:

- Context (considering clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of ISO 9001:2015. For example, risks coming from the economic evolution)
- Product and or service (considering clause 5.1.2 b) of ISO 9001:2015. For example, risks coming from online universities and very specific internet courses)
- Processes (considering clause 4.4.1 f) of ISO 9001:2015. For example, risks coming from “teacher selection and contract”.
 

I would work with a university trying to determine risks and opportunities:

- Reduce or minimize 1 (from the picture)
- Increase or maximize 2 (from the picture) – Example, no one will care if classes have electric light. Everybody will be upset if there is no electric light at a late of the day class
- Increase or maximize 3 (from the picture)
- Reduce or minimize 4 (from the picture)
 

The following material will provide you more information about risks and universities:

- Article - Should universities implement ISO 9001? - https://advisera.com/9001academy/blog/2015/04/21/should-universities-implement-iso-9001/
- Article - Risk-based thinking replacing preventive action in ISO 9001:2015 – The benefits - https://advisera.com/9001academy/knowledgebase/risk-based-thinking-replacing-preventive-action-in-iso-90012015-the-benefits/
- Free webinar on demand – How to implement risk management in ISO 9001:2015 - https://advisera.com/9001academy/webinar/how-to-implement-risk-management-in-iso-90012015-free-webinar-on-demand//
- Enroll for free course - ISO 9001:2015 Foundations Course - https://advisera.com/training/iso-9001-foundations-course/
- Book – Discover ISO 9001:2015 Through Practical Examples – https://advisera.com/books/discover-iso-9001-2015-through-practical-examples/