What does ORM aim to balance against mission or task benefits?

Operational Risk Management (ORM) primarily aims to balance risks against the mission or task benefits. This approach involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to ensure that the potential benefits of a mission or task can be achieved without exposing an organization or its personnel to unacceptable risks.

The essence of ORM is to analyze various risks associated with operational tasks and weigh them against the advantages these tasks may bring. By systematically evaluating risks, organizations can make informed decisions about how to proceed with a mission, ensuring that they maximize the benefits while minimizing adverse effects.

In the context of the other options, while costs, resources, and time are indeed important factors in operational decision-making, they are not the central focus of ORM. The process is heavily centered on understanding risk implications and managing them appropriately to safeguard both personnel and mission effectiveness. Thus, balancing risks directly influences the overall success of an operation, making it the core concern of ORM.