Bow Tie Risk Analysis

Programme Summary

Make major risk controls understandable by mapping how threats can lead to loss of control and harmful consequences. Participants develop clear bow tie models, distinguish preventive and mitigative barriers and identify conditions that can weaken them. Practical cases connect diagrams with owners, performance expectations and verification, producing a usable management tool while avoiding claims that a diagram alone quantifies or proves acceptable risk.

Training Objectives

1 Structure clear threat to consequence risk scenarios; 2 Distinguish preventive mitigative and supporting controls; 3 Identify barrier weaknesses and dependency concerns; 4 Assign practical ownership and verification expectations; 5 Use models for communication and operational learning.

Learning Outcomes

1 Define a clear hazard and top event; 2 Construct a coherent bow tie diagram; 3 Identify valid barriers and degradation factors; 4 Specify owners and barrier verification measures; 5 Present model limitations and improvement priorities.

Target Audience

Safety Advisors; Process Safety Engineers; Operational Risk Managers; Operations Supervisors; Asset Integrity Coordinators.

Target Industries

Oil and Gas Processing; Petrochemical Manufacturing; Chemical Manufacturing; Bulk Fuel Storage; Industrial Gas Production; Power Generation.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Bow Tie Model Purpose: Hazard top event and consequence distinctions; Threat pathways and loss of control; Communication use and qualitative analysis limits.
• Module 2 Scenario Framing: Specific boundaries and operating conditions; Credible threats and consequence categories; Scope assumptions and relevant evidence.
• Module 3 Preventive Barriers: Functions preventing the top event; Specificity effectiveness and independence questions; Distinguishing barriers from general management activities.
• Module 4 Mitigative Barriers: Functions reducing consequence severity or exposure; Response timing resources and reliability; Emergency controls and competence interfaces.
• Module 5 Degradation Factors and Controls: Conditions weakening barrier performance; Supporting controls and dependency recognition; Common causes and missing protection layers.
• Module 6 Barrier Management: Owners performance expectations and verification; Inspection testing and evidence of availability; Impairment response and escalation decisions.
• Module 7 Using and Maintaining Models: Operational briefings and control assurance; Incident learning and change review; Avoiding false numerical confidence from diagrams.
• Module 8 Bow Tie Workshop: Building a coherent scenario model; Challenging weak barriers and assumptions; Presenting ownership checks and improvement priorities.

Assessment

• 40 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 60 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Supplied reference pack and calculator permitted; external internet and AI prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (30 minutes): Build a bow tie for a supplied scenario, assess barrier quality and assign owners, verification measures and impairment escalation actions.
• Assessment criteria: Clear scenario and causal structure; Valid barrier and degradation analysis; Practical ownership and assurance measures.
• Pass each component separately: 30/40 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• All mandatory criteria must pass: Do not present a diagram as proof of acceptable risk.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records bow tie analysis and communication skills; the course does not quantify risk acceptance or certify barrier reliability.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

222

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.12 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

Basic risk assessment knowledge and operational experience are required. Familiarity with the hazards represented in the case study is recommended.Basic risk assessment knowledge and operational experience are required. Familiarity with the hazards represented in the case study is recommended.Basic risk assessment knowledge and operational experience are required. Familiarity with the hazards represented in the case study is recommended.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Review a fictional operational scenario for 25 minutes and distinguish hazards, loss of control and consequences.Review a fictional operational scenario for 25 minutes and distinguish hazards, loss of control and consequences.Review a fictional operational scenario for 25 minutes and distinguish hazards, loss of control and consequences.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).40 question written exam (60 minutes) and individual applied task (30 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.