Fundamentals of Risk Management

Risk culture
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TAbLE 
27.3
Structure of training courses
Stage
intention
1
Set up
This stage will describe what the course will provide. It
is often achieved by delegate introductions and expectations, 
a group exercise or a simple quiz to get everybody thinking 
about the topic of the day.
2
Set out
This stage provides the detailed information that the training 
course is intended to impart. It can be a combination of 
structured inputs, group tasks, discussion exercises, 
feedback sessions and training films.
3
Set down
This stage summarizes what the course has covered and 
confirms general understanding. It will often ask delegates
to confirm what they have learnt and/or indicate what actions 
they will take following the course.
Running training courses requires a different set of skills, although the overriding 
requirement to engage all attendees remains a top priority. It is often said that train-
ing courses should be based on the three-stage approach of: tell the delegates what 
you are going to tell them, tell them it and, finally, tell them what you have told them. 
Although this approach seems laboured and unsophisticated, it is usually the most 
successful way of ensuring that the messages are transmitted and received. Perhaps 
it is more structured to consider that a training course should be in three parts, as 
shown in Table 27.3.
Other communication skills relate to verbal and written presentation skills. These 
will include the ability to write reports, both for internal and external distribution. 
Depending on the organization, the style of written reports will vary greatly. Most 
organizations require short summary reports for the board with substantial back-up 
papers available if required. It is important that the risk practitioner adopts the 
style of communication that fits within the culture of the organization.
If graphics are normally contained in reports, then the presentation of risk infor-
mation can be used in this style. However, if all reports within the organization are 
narrative only, then it becomes a challenge to the risk practitioner to present risk reports 
in an engaging way only with the use of words. Likewise, if the risk practitioner is 
invited to make a presentation to the board, then the style of presentation must be 
in keeping with other board presentations. Detailed preparation and knowledge of 
relevant background information is essential.
When making a presentation to the board, it is important for the risk practitioner 
to decide what should be gained from the presentation. If the risk practitioner is 
only providing a report for information, that is a different style of presentation from 

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