Therapeutic wilderness programs have come under increasing intense scrutiny. The ever changing regulations and costs associated with operating a therapeutic wilderness program demands yardsticks to measure the safety and effectiveness of programs. Developing an effective and comprehensive quality Risk Management Program (RMP) is the first line of defense in protecting an organization’s assets as well as increasing safety awareness.

So, where does the development of an effective and comprehensive quality Risk Management Program start? The process can be broken down into four basic steps:

1 – Analyze

Perform an accurate risk analysis where risks specific to the organization are acknowledged and identified.

2- Prioritize

Look at the risks you’ve identified, evaluate each risk and prioritize them.

3 – Strategize

Select an appropriate risk management strategy for each item.

4 – Adapt

The final step in developing an effective RMP is to remember that it needs to be monitored and updated on a regular basis. As the organization grows and changes so also will the risk exposures. By monitoring the RMP on a regular basis an organization is better equipped to handle changes in the marketplace thereby adapting the program to meet its ever changing needs.

This article, written by Tauni Aikin, was originally published in the May, 2009 issue of the London American Risk Specialists newsletter. You can view the article in its original context.