The next generation visual risk management software
BowTieXP is a next generation risk assessment tool that uses the Bowtie Method to assess risks. BowTieXP is unique in its ability to visualise complex risks in a way that is understandable, yet also allows for detailed risk based improvement plans.
BowTieXP standard will get you started to identify and manage your risks in 6 simple steps.
- Describes the desired state or activity
- Is part of normal business
- Has the potential to cause harm if control is lost
- Defines the context and scope of the bowtie diagram
Eg. Driving a car, hydrocarbons in containment, landing an aircraft
- Is a deviation from the desired state or activity
- Happens before major damage has occurred
- It is still possible to recover
- Hazards can have multiple top events
E.g. Losing control over the car, loss of (hydrocarbons) containment, deviation from intended flight path.
- Are credible causes for the top event
- Are not barrier failures
- Should lead directly to the top event
- Should be able to lead independently to the top event
E.g.: Driving on a slippery road, pipeline corrosion, loss of positional awareness
- Are the hazardous outcomes arising from the top event
- Describe the direct cause for loss or damage
- Describe how the damage occurs
E.g.: Car rollover, ignition of vapor cloud, mid-air collision
- Are factors that reduce the effectiveness of a barrier
- Should be used sparingly to highlight real issues
- Tip: Focus on critical barriers
- Tip: Avoid repetition and duplication
E.g.: Forgetting to wear the seatbelt, no maintenance done, person not trained
- Prevent, control or mitigate undesired events or accidents
- Can be (a combination of) behaviour and hardware
- A Barrier System contains a detect, decide & act component
E.g.: Wearing a seatbelt, Blow-Out Preventer, Ground Proximity Warning System
Structure safety knowledge to increase risk awareness
Summarise existing safety studies
It can be a challenge to see the bigger picture through the maze of safety studies that are conducted. BowTies provide a summary of all of them, getting the key pieces of information out and giving a good overview. In the process, gaps in original safety studies float to the surface which can be answered in a BowTie workshop.
Uncover new operational issues
Often, new insights will emerge from BowTie workshops that were not identified with other methods. The highly visual and interactive nature of BowTie building ensures maximum involvement from operational staff. Because BowTies are created by operational staff, relevant information is included and the staff has a sense of ownership and acceptance of the BowTies.
Visualise your Safety Management System on a BowTie
You can build a Safety Management System that is rooted in a Bowtie risk analysis. Each activity can be traced back to the reasons for doing it. The SMS exists primarily in identifying safety critical activities undertaken to assure the on-going integrity of risk barriers. Everyone can see the riskcontext in the Bowtie, together with the activities.