This module will be assessed through an individual presentation supported by an evidence portfolio, ensuring apprentices demonstrate both applied skills and reflective understanding.

* Presentation (50%, Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4) – apprentices will deliver a 15-minute presentation including Q&A, structured as if reporting to a project board or senior stakeholders. The presentation should outline significant risks and issues within a workplace project, demonstrating how they have been identified, assessed, prioritised, and tracked. Apprentices will be expected to present mitigation or resolution strategies, explain escalation routes, and justify decision-making in a professional context.

* Portfolio of evidence (50%, Learning Outcome 2) – the portfolio provides the supporting documentation for the presentation. It will include anonymised extracts from risk and issue logs, registers, reports, or governance papers, alongside reflective commentary. The portfolio should demonstrate how tools and frameworks have been applied in practice, the effectiveness of mitigation and escalation strategies, and the apprentice’s own learning from managing risk and issue processes.

Work product evidence can include but is not limited to:

* Organisational risk registers or risk assessments
* Budget reports, forecasts, or financial statements
* Gantt Charts and other project management tools
* Cost-benefit analyses or investment appraisals
* Board or committee meeting minutes
* Stakeholder engagement reports
* Audio recordings
* Video recordings
* Other multimedia content as appropriate

This integrated approach ensures apprentices can both communicate risk and issue management clearly to stakeholders and provide tangible workplace evidence to validate their practice.

This module develops the apprentice’s understanding of the principles, processes and frameworks that underpin effective risk and issue management in projects. Apprentices will explore methods for identifying, assessing and prioritising risks and issues, considering both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date risk and issue registers will be emphasised, alongside the use of escalation routes, governance processes and reporting structures to support decision-making. The module also examines strategies for mitigation, resolution and contingency planning, highlighting how risk appetite and organisational culture influence approaches. Apprentices will consider the role of communication in ensuring risks and issues are clearly articulated to stakeholders, and how different formats, such as risk logs or board papers, support transparency and accountability. Reflective practice is encouraged throughout, with apprentices evaluating the effectiveness of their own workplace risk and issue management and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Learning within this module maps to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
* 4: Quality Education
* 5: Gender Equality
* 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
* 10: Reduced Inequalities
* 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Learning within this module maps to the following Fundamental British Values:
* Mutual respect
* Tolerance

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Safeguarding:
* Safeguarding & supporting individuals

Learning within this module maps to the following principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
* Fair and ethical leadership
* Embedding EDI in organisational policies
* Flexibility for different needs

1. Explain the principles, processes and frameworks used in risk and issue management within projects Critically discuss the principles, processes and established frameworks used in risk and issue management, and evaluate their effectiveness across different project contexts.

Apprenticeship standard: K1, K3, K7, K9, K10

University Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry, Communication

2. Apply tools and techniques to identify, assess, prioritise and monitor risks and issues in a project environment Apply and justify the selection of tools and techniques to identify, assess, prioritise and monitor risks and issues across the project lifecycle.

Apprenticeship standard: S1, S3, S5, S7, B1, B3, B4, B5

University Learning Outcome: Application, Problem Solving, Analysis

3. Evaluate and compare strategies for escalating, mitigating and resolving risks and issues, examining the role of governance, assurance and reporting structures in decision-making.

Apprenticeship standard: S1, S3, S5, S7, B1, B3, B4, B5

University Learning Outcome: Analysis,Application, Reflection

4. Analyse and integrate approaches to risk and issue management, including tracking systems, communication strategies and structured decision-making, to support effective workplace project delivery.

Apprenticeship standard: S1, S3, S5, S7, B1, B3, B4, B5

University Learning Outcome: Communication, Application, Problem Solving

This module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face on campus lectures and online webinars, designed to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience. Face-to-face lectures will incorporate formal teaching, group work, case study analysis, and guest speakers. Apprentices will also be encouraged to share their workplace experiences to enhance peer learning. Meanwhile, online webinars will take the form of recorded content, interactive e-learning, or live tutorials, offering opportunities for group discussion, presentations, flipped-classroom activities, and further group work and case study analysis.

Additional learning activities include:
* Engaging with supplementary online content, including videos and presentations
* Independent reading to reinforce and expand on formal teaching
* Completing formative tasks set by the lecturer to consolidate learning
* Preparing for assessments, writing, and gathering evidence
* Developing and maintaining a portfolio of evidence

In line with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, this module includes 200 off-the-job (OTJ) training hours as standard, covering new learning funded by the apprenticeship levy. A total 300 nominal learning hours has been attributed to this module, incorporating OTJ training alongside broader academic development beyond levy-funded new learning. Please refer to your Aptem account to identify your individualised off-the-job hours.

Computer facilities to access online materials.
Access to specialist online databases, appropriate core texts and journals via the library, module leader, and own research.

This module is typically open to apprentices enrolled on the Project Manager (Degree) Apprenticeship programme. The module is also open to those who wish to undertake it as a standalone module. Such candidates should be currently in or working towards project management or support roles.

Aven, T. (2023) Foundations of Risk Analysis. 3rd edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Hopkin, P. (2023) Fundamentals of Risk Management: Understanding, Evaluating and Implementing Effective Risk Management. 6th edn. London: Kogan Page.

Hull, J. C. (2023) Risk Management and Financial Institutions. 6th edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

McNeil, A. J., Frey, R. & Embrechts, P. (2023) Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques and Tools. 3rd edn. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Lam, J. (2023) Enterprise Risk Management: From Incentives to Controls. 3rd edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

This module develops the knowledge and practical skills you need to manage risks and issues effectively within projects. You will explore frameworks and techniques for identifying, assessing and prioritising risks and issues, and consider how mitigation and escalation strategies are applied in practice. The importance of accurate logs, governance processes and reporting is emphasised, showing how these tools support accountability and informed decision-making. You will also examine how organisational culture and risk appetite influence approaches to uncertainty. Assessment is through a presentation that simulates reporting to a project board, supported by a portfolio of workplace evidence. This integrated approach ensures you can communicate risks and issues clearly to stakeholders while providing tangible evidence of how management processes are applied in your professional context.