Project Risk Matrix Quadrant Chart (Likelihood vs Impact)

Mermaid code

quadrantChart
    title Project risk matrix
    x-axis Unlikely --> Likely
    y-axis Low impact --> High impact
    quadrant-1 Mitigate now
    quadrant-2 Prepare a plan
    quadrant-3 Accept
    quadrant-4 Monitor
    Key engineer leaves: [0.3, 0.85]
    Vendor API deprecated: [0.55, 0.7]
    Scope creep from sales: [0.8, 0.6]
    Cloud cost overrun: [0.6, 0.4]
    Security audit finding: [0.35, 0.9]
    Holiday staffing gap: [0.75, 0.25]
    Office move delays: [0.2, 0.15]

Paste this into any tool that renders Mermaid, or into the editor to change the theme and export PNG or SVG. Syntax reference: Quadrant guide.

What this diagram shows

The x-axis runs from Unlikely to Likely and the y-axis from Low impact to High impact. With Mermaid numbering quadrants counterclockwise from the top right, quadrant-1 (likely and high impact) is Mitigate now, quadrant-2 (unlikely but high impact) is Prepare a plan, quadrant-3 is Accept, and quadrant-4 (likely but low impact) is Monitor. Scope creep from sales at [0.8, 0.6] is the only risk sitting in the mitigate quadrant.

How to adapt it

• Score each risk with the team on a 1 to 5 scale, then divide by 5 to get the 0 to 1 coordinates Mermaid expects.
• Re-plot the chart every month and keep the old version so the steering group can see risks moving between quadrants.
• Rename the axes to Rare --> Almost certain and Minor --> Severe if your risk register uses those terms.
• Keep risk labels under four words; long labels overlap when two risks have similar scores.

FAQ