Conducting a Risk Session: Guide Words

The term "brainstorming" is likely known to everyone, but what we usually call brainstorming is typically not. There is a persistent belief that brainstorming is just a regular meeting but with a ban on criticism. Indeed, "NO CRITICISM!" is a rule of brainstorming, but it is far from the only one. If you are struggling to recall a couple more rules right now, I suggest pausing for a moment, as the following text might seem like nonsense.

I knew you would stay, dear blog readers!

So, the HAZID and ENVID methods are based on a modification of brainstorming known as "structured brainstorming." This method uses guide words to increase the effectiveness of the study. The term "guide word" is far from the only one; I have encountered more than a dozen similar terms in various sources. The principle is the same everywhere.

What are guide words? These are words related to the topic of discussion that help trigger thoughts and ensure no important area for discussion is forgotten. A guide word is a catalyst for thought.

Here is a small example of a list of guide words I use; the full list for discussing environmental risks is attached to the article.

The list of guide words is compiled by the risk session chair for each object of study. For example, the lists of guide words for HSE and environmental protection are completely different. The lists of guide words for the operation phase and the construction phase of an enterprise overlap by about 30% for environmental studies.

How a guide word is used: The chair announces the word and asks the group what risks or thoughts come to mind. If there are thoughts, the group discusses them and turns a shy thought into a "gem." If no one has any thoughts, the chair moves on to the next word.

In my experience, about 20-30% of the words from the list lead to discussion, but that doesn't mean the other words are redundant. On different sites, the words that trigger discussion vary; such is the nature of the human mind.

The mechanism is quite simple and can be mastered in practice within 5-10 minutes.

What rules should be followed when working with guide words:

• There are no stupid words – different people think differently, and no one knows exactly what will trigger a thought;
• If there is doubt about whether to keep a word on the list or not – it's better to keep it;
• Do not jump between words during the discussion – it is better to follow the list;
• The list of words must be adapted to the conditions of each site;
• The list should not be too large. When unexamined words are left at the end of a risk session, it is not the best way to conclude it;
• The list should not be too small either. Finishing the list of guide words 30 minutes after the start of the risk session is not best practice;
• It is better to start the risk session with a seed word for training and to set the mood.