Capturing Upside Risk

Preface

A month ago, my wife and I were on a sunrise game drive in South Africa. None of the animals seemed to be awake yet, and all was quiet. I sat on the edge of the vehicle, my camera round my neck and ready, more in hope than expectation. Suddenly and without warning, an adult cheetah emerged from the bush two metres from my elbow, looked straight at me, gave a ferocious snarl, and disappeared again. Click! I was so glad to be ready for the unexpected event, and to have a great photo to prove it.

In 1990 I was the risk specialist on a team taking part in a feasibility study, developing a gun fire control system. The British Army had booked the firing range and some tanks for a competitive shoot-off between systems from our company and ...