Risk relationships¶
Relationships explain how two risks affect one another. Supported types include Related, Duplicate, Blocks, Depends On, Caused By, Parent, Child, and Similar.
Direction matters: “A Blocks B” is different from “B Blocks A.”
Link another risk¶
- Open the source risk in Edit.
- Go to Files / Links / Tags.
- Open the Related Risks card.
- Search by title or RR number.
- Select a risk you are allowed to view.
- Choose the relationship type from the source risk's perspective.
- Add the link.
The relationship saves immediately; there is no separate section save. The Details page displays relationships read-only.
Image needed: Related Risks card showing the search field, relationship-type list, and one existing directional relationship.
RiskVault prevents self-links, missing targets, and duplicate active relationships. If a target does not appear in search, confirm that you have permission to view it.
Remove a relationship¶
- Return to the Related Risks card.
- Review the direction and target carefully.
- Select the remove action for that relationship.
- Confirm it disappears from both the editor and Details view.
Choose the right relationship¶
| Type | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Related | The risks are connected but no more specific direction fits. |
| Duplicate | Two records describe substantially the same risk. Keep both only when process requires it. |
| Blocks | Progress on the source risk prevents progress on the target. |
| Depends On | The source risk relies on the target risk or its outcome. |
| Caused By | The target risk is a cause or contributing source of the current risk. |
| Parent | The current risk is the broader record containing the target. |
| Child | The current risk is a narrower part of the target. |
| Similar | The risks resemble one another but are not confirmed duplicates. |
If you are unsure between Related and a directional type, choose Related and add explanatory context in the appropriate risk notes rather than guessing at causality.
Check direction before saving¶
Read the relationship as a sentence from the risk you currently have open:
- “RR-100 Blocks RR-200.”
- “RR-100 Depends On RR-300.”
- “RR-100 is a Child of RR-400.”
If the sentence says the opposite of what you mean, select the inverse type or begin from the other risk.
Review a relationship from Details¶
The Details page shows the linked risk, type, and direction. Select a linked RR number to open it when you have access. A relationship does not grant permission to its target; users may see the relationship summary but be unable to open a record outside their scope.
Keep the relationship map useful¶
- Prefer a specific relationship over Related when the direction is known.
- Do not use Similar when Duplicate has already been confirmed.
- Review relationships before closing a parent, blocker, or cause.
- Remove obsolete links rather than leaving a misleading dependency.
- Use comments or assessment notes to explain a relationship that is not obvious from titles.
Troubleshooting relationships¶
- The target risk is missing from search
- Confirm its RR number and your permission to view it. Deleted or inaccessible records are not ordinary link targets.
- RiskVault says the relationship already exists
- Review the current list, including direction. The application prevents duplicate active links.
- The card is read-only
- Closed and Archived risks freeze relationship changes, and your record access can also permit viewing without editing.
- I linked it backward
- Remove the incorrect relationship and create it again with the correct direction. Confirm the sentence from both Details pages.