Alternatives to bowtie diagrams

Bowtie diagrams are invaluable for identifying critical controls in risk management, but what if your company lacks the time, budget, or expertise for extensive workshops?

While bowtie workshops provide a comprehensive understanding of risk causal pathways and excel at deciding the critical preventative and mitigative controls, there are alternatives for those needing to move more quickly.

𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
From experience, the best alternative is conducting a robust peer review and benchmarking assessment. This process identifies both preventative and mitigatory controls successfully implemented by peer companies in similar industries. This process works well for common risks—such as working at heights, crane operations, or confined spaces—where numerous industry resources are available. These can include guidelines from industry associations and government bodies, as well as published critical controls from other companies. In this way, peer benchmarking can be useful to inform (but not blindly decide) a company's critical controls.

While this method excels for common risks, it's not recommended for unique or emerging risks. For instance, while recently working with a port client, bowtie workshops were ideal for assessing marine risks that are less common and more specific to that client's operations. In contrast, peer review and benchmarking was an effective approach for their more standard onshore risks.

𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
While building bowtie diagrams is a powerful way to assess material risks and understand causal pathways, not every organisation has the resources for this approach. For those in need of a less intensive process, conducting a peer review and benchmarking exercise offers a practical solution.

𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?
If you need assistance with conducting a peer review or benchmarking assessment get in touch. We can also assist with developing bowtie diagrams, running workshops and developing your critical risk program.

𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬
▶️ The benefits of using bowties: https://lnkd.in/gu3JHYnA
▶️ Tips, tricks and traps when developing bowties: https://lnkd.in/gGupuPRP