Understanding the Difference: Why SPI 360 Isn’t Just Another Risk Score

As you begin using SPI 360, it’s natural for stakeholders to ask, “Isn’t this just another way to score risk?” It’s not. Traditional risk scores help organizations identify external threats and prioritize controls. SPI 360 operates at a different level—it measures how well your organization is aligned to execute, govern, and lead in the face of complexity. The Entropy Score and SPI IQ aren’t about probability or impact. They’re about how much of your organization’s strategic energy is being wasted—and how prepared your teams are to make the right decisions, at the right time. The table below clarifies how these concepts differ, so you can communicate their purpose clearly to leadership, peers, and partners.

Risk vs Strategic Performance Management

Concept

What It Measures

Primary Audience

Outcome

Risk Score

Probability × Impact of a threat

Risk, compliance, audit

Avoid loss

Entropy Score

Strategic disorder, misalignment, energy waste

Cybersecurity, CIO, HR, Execs

Unlock performance

SPI IQ

Maturity of performance intelligence and decision readiness

Leaders, board, strategy teams

Improve governance and execution

Strategic Performance

The system-wide ability to deliver security outcomes that support the business

CISO, CIO, business leaders

Create value

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