Risk Assessment: Tools, Techniques, and Their Applications

11.3 Building on the Results of a Critical Incident Technique Session

The process flow or map is just the first step in the development of a risk assessment, using the CIT. The process map can be used to guide future interviews on the process with the intent of eliciting other pertinent facts about a process of failure path. Figure 11.4 is a simple process map of an incident.

Figure 11.4 Simple incident process map.

The risk analyst can then use this process map as a guide for interviewing participants on the attributes of the process. There are five steps in this process. The questions a risk analyst might ask for each step include the following.

11.3.1 Step 1: Ramp Agent observes Anomaly on Aircraft Cargo Door

1. Approximately, how big was the anomaly?

2. Could you describe its appearance?

3. Do you normally perform a visual inspection of the cargo door and/or is this a part of your normal job requirements?

4. Were you following a procedure when you performed the inspection?

5. What time of day was it?

6. Was it overcast?

7. Was it bright sunshine?

8. If at night, did you use a flashlight?

9. How did you perceive the lighting to be?

10. Do you wear corrective lenses?

11. Was it very noisy?

12. Were you wearing hearing protection?

13. Was anything obscuring your vision?

14. Was it hot or cold at that time?

15. Was the panel generally clean or dirty when you observed ...