Project Issue Log and Issue Register Example and Template (Excel XLSX)

Introduction
An issue log is a key project tool that helps the project manager and project team manage arising issues in a controlled, proportionate, and timely way. This is an actual Project Issue Log and Issue Register example and template designed to help you shape an appropriate Issue Log or Issue Register for your project.

Project Issues and Project Risks
A project issue is something that is impacting the project already and needs to resolution. This means in practice that action needs to be taken as the issue is impacting on the project at the time it is identified. Project risks are potential issues; the ‘what if' scenarios. They haven't happened yet but if they do, they could have a positive or a negative impact on at least one objective of the project. With risks, it is possible to assess the probability and impact and design mitigation to reduce the chance of the risk happening or of its impact.

As such risk management can be potentially strategic and proactive, where issues management tends to be reactive – the issue has occurred and now there is need for a response and effective communication.

What is an Issue Log or Register?
The Issue Log, also known as an Issue Register, is a project document that compiles all issues that are negatively affecting the project and records, tracks, and communicates the issues. Once developed it provides a tool for active tracking and management and as a means for reporting and communicating all that is impacting on the project at that time. It is a brilliant tool and support to the project and this example and template provides the roadmap for projects – helping you to develop an effective and professional Issue Log and Register for the project.

Good Practice Guide
This includes an ‘actual', good practice Issue Log/ Register that will support thinking around project issues and provide the tool for effective management. The template can be easily followed and developed to provide a foundation for your approach to managing the project issues. This can act as a stand-alone Project Issue Log or as the Project Issue Register and can be added to other project documentation such as project proposals; Project Initiation Documents; Project Reports and progress reports among others.

The template offers the Project Team a professional reporting tool to be shared and discussed with others that have a ‘stake' in the Project including business managers, Project Boards etc. As such this example and template guides the Project Manager or Team through a step-by-step process to effective management and communication of issues.