During a project meeting, the project sponsor asks to close a project risk. The team does not recommend closing the risk because it is expected to be present in the next phase of the project work…

Comparing actual data with historical data may provide general context but does not supply the project-specific thresholds and criteria needed to justify keeping a current risk open.

SME criteria can be subjective and situational; the risk baseline is the formally agreed-upon benchmark for evaluating risk status decisions.

The risk baseline documents the agreed-upon thresholds, criteria, and expected risk behavior established at the start of the project or phase. Comparing actual data against this baseline provides objective, documented evidence to determine whether the conditions for risk closure have been met, giving the risk manager a defensible basis for disagreeing with the sponsor's request.

Basing the decision on the project sponsor's expectation introduces bias and bypasses the objective, documented risk management process established for the project.