---
title: "How to Set Issue Severity"
url: "https://help.decipherrisk.com/en/article/how-to-set-issue-severity"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-08-27T18:30:44.836Z"
---

# How to Set Issue Severity

### **Summary**

Issue Severity is used to **communicate the urgency** of an Issue and to help **establish the timing of subsequent actions**. It is based on the analyst’s estimation of the **potential impact and urgency** of the Issue.

DecipherRisk provides four severity levels:

-   **Critical** – There is potentially a significant impact that can occur in the next **12–24 months**.
-   **High** – There is potentially a significant impact, but we do not believe it will occur in the next **12–24 months**.
-   **Medium** – There is a limited impact that can occur in the next **12–24 months**.
-   **Low** – There is a limited impact, but we do not believe it will occur in the next **12–24 months**.

Severity ratings can be assigned either using the **Severity Wizard** or set manually. The Wizard guides you through **four impact questions** to help assign an **initial severity rating**, while manual assignment allows flexibility when appropriate. In both cases, documenting rationale ensures transparency and consistency for Triage and ongoing issue management.

### **Using the Severity Wizard**

During Issue Intake or Editing an Existing Issue

1.  Click **Wizard** next to **Severity**.
2.  Answer the **four impact questions.**
3.  Choose **Confirm**.

### **Viewing Rationale set in the Severity Wizard**

-   The **Severity Rationale** is visible on *hover* over the **underlined severity rating**.
-   In the **Issue Register view**, you can also display Severity Rationale by **updating the column selections** to include it.

### **Setting Severity Manually**

Severity can also be set **manually**, without using the Wizard.  When setting severity manually, it is recommended to **document the rationale** directly in the Assumption field of the Issue record to provide context for the assigned rating.

### **Related Articles**

[How to Create an Issue and Complete the Intake Process](https://help.decipherrisk.com/en/article/how-to-create-an-issue-and-complete-the-intake-process)

[Pro Tip: Core Workflow Triage  Process](https://help.decipherrisk.com/en/article/pro-tip-core-workflow-triage-process)

[How to Customize, Filter and Sort the Issue Register](https://help.decipherrisk.com/en/article/issue-module)