What is Risk Escalation?

Risk escalation is the process of transferring an issue up the chain of command when it becomes too large to handle at your level, akin to asking aid from a manager when a situation becomes out of your control. When a risk is detected that is more severe or complex than the team’s ability to handle, it is escalated, which means it is brought to the attention of higher authorities or decision-makers. This escalation ensures that the required attention, resources, or expertise are brought in to successfully handle the risk. It’s the same as asking for backup or assistance from someone higher up to deal with a problem that’s beyond your ability.