Ronald Machoian University of WisconsinMadison International Safety and

Ronald Machoian University of Wisconsin-Madison International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) _____________________ International Risk Management (IRM) An ORM-based tool for pre-travel safety & security assessment in the international environment http: //internationaltravel. wisc. edu

Do you think you’re telling us something new here? ! • Founded on Operational Risk Management (ORM) principles – creation is unclear, but popularized throughout the U. S. Department of Defense (c. 2000) for use in operational safety assessment - Used in flying operations, maritime operations, training activities -- in military flying, ORM was taken very seriously • Similar approaches to ORM may be translated to a variety of professional and occupational arenas

But I’ve forgotten … what is ORM? ORM: a continual process that includes risk assessment, risk decision making, and implementation of risk controls -resulting in acceptance, mitigation, or avoidance of risk; at which time the assessment process begins again.

What does this ORM stuff do? 4 ORM Principles: A deliberate approach to planning operations in a risk environment • Accept risk when benefits outweigh the cost. • Accept no unnecessary risk • Anticipate and manage risk by thoroughly planning to avoid its most direct impact • Make risk decisions at the right level of interest, oversight and responsibility U. S. Department of Defense

What does this ORM stuff do for International Education? The same 4 ORM Principles may be translated to the International Education environment: • Accept risk only when educational outcomes outweigh the cost and are within the university’s risk tolerance • Accept no unnecessary risk or risk that exceeds the institution’s risk tolerance • Anticipate and manage known risk by thoroughly planning to avoid or mitigate its impact • Make risk decisions at the right level of interest and responsibility – a level that is charged with authority to assume liability on the university’s behalf

What does this ORM stuff do for International Education (IRM)? IRM guides a traveler or group through a selfassessment tool, enumerating various activities, environmental or conditional factors present in a planned experience • Each activity or factor is self-scored based on questions that identify relative risk to the traveler • Resultant total score will tell the traveler or group whether or not their intended profile will fall into a category of concern … Low Risk (1 – 10 pts) Acceptable Risk (11 – 20 pts) Significant Risk (21 – 30 pts) High Risk (31 + pts)

What can this ORM (IRM) stuff do for International Education? An example … If the IRM score characterizes a trip as “significant risk” then the traveler should reassess various activities and events to mitigate risks that drive that overall “significantrisk” characterization – it is not the score that is reassessed, it is riskintensive activities or events planned for the trip itself! It is strongly recommended that self-assessed “high-risk” traveler(s) seek external objective review to help re-plan or even reevaluate the trip to mitigate risk. (e. g. , ISSD, dept chair, study abroad office, risk mgt) Low Risk (1 – 10 pts) Acceptable Risk (11 – 20 pts) Significant Risk (21 – 30 pts) High Risk (31 + pts)

What does this ORM stuff do for International Education (IRM)? The IRM self-assessment worksheet is best presented as part of a more complete discussion of risk in the international environment. So … the IRM is best presented as part of a more complete document that is available to lead the non-affiliated traveler(s) through “considerations to help you plan international travel” – a set of questions that guide travelers through a safety & security planning process to help identify potential risks.

What does this ORM stuff do for International Education? Question from the audience: “Are you for real? Do you actually think travelers will really seek an external review by an objective, knowledgeable source to help re-plan the international trip they want to take? ! Really? Ron, if that’s what you think, you’re an idiot. ” Answer: No, likely not … but • Even the heightened awareness that significant risk exists will increase attention to surroundings and environment with a positive impact on a traveler’s safety and security – The IRM remains a valuable tool!

The goal … vibrant, successful learning, research and outreach experiences for students, faculty and staff who travel abroad!