KRI — Key Risk Indicator
In plain English
A Key Risk Indicator is a metric used to signal increasing risk exposure in critical areas.
A KRI is an early warning signal.
It tracks conditions that suggest something might go wrong — before it actually does.
If KPIs show performance and CSFs show what must succeed, KRIs show what could derail it.
What they actually mean
KRIs exist so problems can be discussed before they become incidents.
In reality, they’re often ignored until they turn red —
at which point everyone wishes they had paid attention earlier.
When a KRI is breached, the conversation shifts quickly from performance to risk, accountability, and escalation.
Example
“Although most KPIs were still on target, the rising KRI triggered concern about system stability and future SLO breaches.”
Does it actually matter?
Yes — if you care about surprises.
KRIs don’t stop failure.
They reduce how shocking it is when failure happens.
Organizations that take KRIs seriously react earlier.
Those that don’t… hold post-mortems.
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