Bow Tie Analysis: Complete Guide to Visualizing Risk Causes, Consequences and Controls
Bow Tie Analysis is a risk assessment technique used to visually represent causes, a central risk event, consequences, and preventive and mitigation controls.
Key Takeaways
- ✓Bow Tie creates a visual representation of risk scenarios.
- ✓It is recognized as an ISO 31010 risk assessment technique.
- ✓It helps evaluate critical barriers and controls.
- ✓It improves communication between technical and executive teams.
Bow Tie Analysis: Complete Guide
Executive Summary
Bow Tie Analysis is a structured risk assessment technique used to understand how an unwanted event can occur and what controls can prevent or reduce its consequences.
The technique receives its name from the visual shape of the model:
- Threats or causes are displayed on the left side.
- The central event is displayed in the middle.
- Consequences are displayed on the right side.
- Preventive and mitigation barriers are placed around the central event.
Bow Tie combines cause analysis, consequence analysis and control management into a single visual representation.
What is Bow Tie Analysis?
Bow Tie Analysis is a risk assessment technique recognized within ISO 31010 for analyzing scenarios where a critical event could create significant impacts for an organization.
Its purpose is to answer five key questions:
1. What can cause the event?
2. What is the central risk event?
3. What consequences can occur?
4. What controls prevent the event?
5. What controls reduce the impact?
Bow Tie within ISO 31010
ISO 31010 identifies Bow Tie as a visual technique that supports:
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
What is Bow Tie Analysis?
It is a visual risk assessment technique that represents causes, consequences and controls around a central event.
Is Bow Tie included in ISO 31010?
Yes. ISO 31010 recognizes Bow Tie as a risk assessment technique.
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