Qualitative Risk Assessment Methods

Abstract

Although the primary “risk assessment” focus of this book addresses quantitative methods, several qualitative methods of risk analysis are widely used for evaluation and decision-making across all industrial, institutional, educational, and commercial organizations.

Qualitative analysis methods describe risks in relative terms, without introducing complex calculations or requiring computing of probabilities. Numbers are sometimes used but only to rank a risk as being relatively higher or lower than another risk, or establishing a priority for remediation or resolution.

This chapter offers an introduction with examples and applications for the following qualitative processes.

• Preliminary Risk Analysis (PRA)

• Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)

• Fault tree analysis (FTA)

• Management Oversight and Fault Tree (MORT)

• Hazard and Operability (HAZOP)

Hazard Analysis, Critical Control Point (HACCP) is also a qualitative risk analysis method that has been included in Chap. 5 because of its original and continued association with food safety.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it gives an idea of the types and applications of these useful and common methods of analyzing risks in almost any setting. Support for learning and develo** qualitative techniques is well served by instructional facilities, traditional and online training programs, expertise, extension programs, and resources from both private and public sectors. Further readings and references are supplied at the end of the chapter.