A management framework for making and fulfilling commitments under conditions of uncertainty.
RDM makes Risk the driver of management. Risk evidence is not produced after the decision; it is the justification for the decision.
Designed for people and structured for software. RDM defines a management model that can be applied consistently by managers, supported by software, and increasingly assisted by artificial intelligence.
In most management frameworks, Risk Management operates as a supporting discipline. Decisions are made, plans are drawn up, work is commissioned, and Risk is then recorded alongside the activity.
Risk-Driven Management starts from a different premise: organisations operate through commitments, and those commitments exist under uncertainty. Management Control is exercised by identifying Threats, assessing their impact as Risks, and implementing Risk Responses that protect the Commitment.
The result is management that is forward-looking rather than historical, evidenced rather than assumed, and accountable rather than merely busy.
RDM is designed to scale across strategy, leadership, operations, programmes, projects, portfolios and individual delivery. Specialist applications include RDSM, RDLM, RDOM, RDPM, RDPgM and RDPfM.
Suggested citation: Linnell, P.J. (2026). Risk-Driven Management (RDM) Framework Master Document (Version 3.00, Canonical Release). RDM-FMD-3.00. Risk-Driven Management Ltd. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20810447
Suggested citation: Linnell, P. (2026). Risk-Driven Management (RDM): A Foundational Management Framework for Managing Commitment Amid Uncertainty. Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18315017
RDM is being developed as a computable management framework. Its core entities, relationships, operating rules, registers and state transitions are intended to be explicit enough to support consistent implementation by people, software and AI-assisted tools.
RDM does not assume that AI replaces management judgement. Instead, it provides a structured governance model within which AI can help identify uncertainty, apply organisational Policies, generate draft Risks, and support managers in making better evidenced decisions.
The Canonical Framework defines the RDM standard. Practical guides, workbooks, templates and future software material are being developed separately to help managers apply the Framework.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Framework Master Document | Version 3.00 Canonical Release published on Zenodo |
| Canonical DOI | 10.5281/zenodo.20810447 |
| Foundational Paper | Published on Zenodo: DOI 10.5281/zenodo.18315017 |
| Company | Risk-Driven Management Ltd, UK Company No. 06143397 |
| UK trade mark | Application filed: UK00004400739 |
| Practical publications | Quick Start Guide, Implementation Workbook, AI Overview and Data Model are in development |
Risk-Driven Management (RDM), the RDM Framework, and the associated concepts, models, terminology, diagrams and processes are the intellectual property of Philip J. Linnell and are licensed to Risk-Driven Management Ltd for publication and commercial exploitation.
The Framework Master Document may be studied, cited and referenced for personal study, academic discussion, review and non-commercial reference, provided appropriate attribution is given. Applied materials, training, software tools, consultancy methods and derivative publications are managed separately.
For enquiries relating to Risk-Driven Management, permitted use, licensing, training, software, teaching or collaboration, contact:
Philip J. Linnell DipM MSc
Founder and Director, Risk-Driven Management Ltd
Email: plinnell@risk-driven-management.com
Location: Cyprus / United Kingdom