Assessment principles

Following these core principles helps ensure the assessments have value.

• Proportionality: The scope and level of detail are proportional to the risk.
• Timeliness: Information is provided in a timely manner to decision-makers.
• Judicious use of evidence: Assessments use established methods of evaluating data.
• Characterisation of uncertainty: Assessments should describe the type, source, and impact of uncertainty.
• Variability: Assessments must consider how the risk varies within relevant populations.
• Integration with related analyses: Assessors should communicate with each other to ensure all relevant areas are covered while minimising duplication of effort.
• Transparency and confidentiality: For important assessments, stakeholders should be consulted and the public informed (within the boundaries of confidentiality).

Assessment methods

Assessments may use quantitative methods (involving numerical data) qualitative methods (based on global judgments), or both.

• Quantitative methods: Some event-driven risks can be assessed quantitatively, using deterministic or probabilistic methods.
• Qualitative methods: Qualitative methods and measures are often used before, or together with, quantitative methods.
• As far as possible, assessments should capture sources of variability, extremes of risk, probabilities (numerical or estimated) of different risk scenarios.
• The work completed in your workbook should have identified the assessments you need to complete