Overview

The Hazard Overview screen is the main workspace for viewing and managing an individual hazard in BowTiePro. It provides access to the BowTie structure, associated threats and consequences, diagrams, reporting tools, and related actions.

Opening the Hazard Overview Screen

1. Go to Hazards

2. Open a Hazard

👉 This opens the Hazard Overview screen

Hazard Information Section

At the top of the screen, the following information is displayed:

These fields provide a summary of the selected BowTie item.

Action Buttons

The Hazard Overview screen includes several action buttons.

Diagram

Opens the BowTie diagram view for the selected hazard.

Edit

Allows you to modify the hazard details.

Quick Add

Used to quickly add:

Delete

Removes the hazard from the system.

Copy

Creates a duplicate of the hazard.

Email User

Allows hazard information to be shared via email.

Statistics

Displays statistical information related to the hazard.

Copy URL to Clipboard

Copies a direct link to the hazard overview screen.

Navigation Tabs

The screen also contains multiple navigation tabs.

Tree View

Displays the BowTie structure including:

Details

Shows additional information related to the hazard.

Sign Off

Used for review or approval workflows.

Action Tracking

Displays linked actions and follow-up activities.

LOPA Links

Shows associated LOPA assessments and links.

Incident Links

Displays related incidents connected to the hazard.

Reports

Provides reporting options for the selected hazard.

Tree View Structure

Within the Tree View:

Threats

Threats represent causes that may lead to the top event.

Examples:

Consequences

Consequences represent outcomes that may occur if the top event happens.

Examples:

The Hazard Overview screen acts as the central management area for BowTie analysis in BowTiePro. It provides access to the complete hazard structure, controls, actions, diagrams, and reporting tools needed for effective risk management.

Overview

The BowTie Diagram View provides a visual representation of the selected hazard and its associated risk structure. It helps users understand how threats can lead to a top event and how controls are used to prevent or mitigate risk.

The diagram view is one of the core features of BowTiePro and is designed to improve risk visualization and analysis.

Opening the Diagram View

1. Go to the Hazards Section

2. Open a Hazard

This opens the Hazard Overview screen.

3. Click “Diagram”

👉 This opens the BowTie Diagram View.

Understanding the Diagram Layout

The diagram screen visually represents the hazard structure.

Hazard

The hazard is displayed at the top of the diagram.

Example:

Top Event

The top event appears in the main diagram area.

Example:

The top event represents the point where control over the hazard is lost.

Threats and Consequences

Threats and consequences are connected around the top event to form the BowTie structure.

Controls

Controls are positioned between:

These controls act as barriers to reduce risk.

Diagram Toolbar

The toolbar at the top of the diagram includes multiple options for managing and interacting with the BowTie view.

Depending on permissions and configuration, toolbar options may include:

Diagram Display Options

At the top of the screen, you can also select:

Example:

Navigating the Diagram

You can interact with the diagram by:

Best Practices

Summary

The BowTie Diagram View provides a clear visual representation of hazards, threats, consequences, and controls. It helps users better understand risk pathways and supports more effective risk management within BowTiePro.

Overview 

The Diagram Toolbar in BowTiePro provides quick access to tools used for navigating, viewing, and interacting with the BowTie diagram. These tools help users manage the diagram layout, adjust visibility settings, and improve the overall viewing experience.

The toolbar is located at the top of the Diagram View screen.

Accessing the Diagram Toolbar

1. Open a Hazard

2. Open Diagram View

👉 The toolbar will appear above the diagram workspace.

Toolbar Functions

Depending on permissions and system configuration, the toolbar may include the following functions.

Zoom Controls

Zoom tools allow you to:

These options help improve visibility when working with large BowTie diagrams.

Diagram Navigation

Navigation tools help users:

Expand and Collapse Functions

These tools allow users to:

This is useful for complex risk models.

Layout and Display Tools

Display tools help control:

Refresh or Reload Functions

Some toolbar functions may refresh or reload the diagram after updates are made.

Edit and Interaction Tools

Depending on user permissions, toolbar functions may also support:

Diagram View Selector

The toolbar area also allows users to:

Example:

Best Practices

Summary

The Diagram Toolbar provides essential controls for interacting with BowTie diagrams in BowTiePro. These tools help users navigate, organize, and manage complex risk visualizations more effectively.

Overview

BowTiePro allows users to export or print BowTie diagrams for reporting, presentations, reviews, and documentation purposes.

The export and print functions are available directly within the Diagram View toolbar.

Accessing Diagram View

Step 1: Open the Hazards Section

From the top navigation menu:

This opens the Hazard List screen.

Step 2: Open a Hazard

Locate the required hazard and click the 👁 (View) icon.

This opens the Hazard Overview screen.

Step 3: Open Diagram View

On the Hazard Overview screen:

The BowTie Diagram View screen will open.

Exporting the Diagram

Step 1: Review the Diagram Layout

Before exporting:

This helps ensure the exported image is clear and readable.

Step 2: Locate the Export Toolbar

At the top of the Diagram View screen, locate the toolbar section. The toolbar contains several diagram tools, including the PNG export option.

Step 3: Export as PNG

Click the PNG export icon in the toolbar.

BowTiePro will generate and download the current diagram as a PNG image file.

The exported image can then be:

Overview

BowTie Pro allows users to customize how BowTie diagrams are displayed. These settings help improve readability, adjust diagram appearance, and control what information is shown within the diagram view.

Diagram display settings can be configured for hazards, threats, consequences, controls, fonts, colours, and other visual elements.

Accessing Diagram Display Options

To open the Diagram Options screen:

  1. Open the required hazard.
  2. Open the BowTie Diagram view.
  3. Click the Diagram Options icon from the diagram toolbar.

The Diagram Options screen will open.

Diagram Settings Name

At the top of the page, users can define a name for the diagram configuration.

Example:

This allows multiple diagram display configurations to be created and reused.

General Display Options

The General tab contains options that control overall diagram behavior and visibility.

Available settings may include:

These settings help users control how information is presented within the diagram.

Font Settings

The Font section allows users to customize text appearance within diagrams.

Available options include:

These settings improve readability and support different diagram presentation styles.

Hazards Tab

The Hazards tab contains display settings related to hazard appearance within the diagram.

Users can configure how hazards are displayed visually.

Threats and Consequences Tab

The Threats and Consequences tab controls the appearance and visibility of:

This helps users tailor diagram layouts based on reporting or operational needs.

Controls Tab

The Controls tab allows users to customize how prevention and recovery controls appear within the BowTie diagram.

Users may configure:

Saving Diagram Options

After making the required changes:

  1. Review the updated settings.
  2. Click Save or Save & Close.
  3. Reopen the diagram to view the updated display configuration if required.

BowTiePro allows users to update and manage action information throughout the action lifecycle.

Editing action details helps organizations:

Users can edit actions directly from the Action List or Action Board views.

Opening an Action

To edit an existing action:

  1. Log in to BowTiePro.
  2. Navigate to the Actions module.
  3. Open either:
    • Action List view
    • Action Board view
  4. Select the required action.

The Action Details screen will open.

Understanding the Action Details Screen

The Action Details screen contains all information related to the selected action.

Typical fields include:

This screen is used to manage and update the action throughout its lifecycle.

Editing the Action Description

The Description field can be updated to provide more accurate or detailed information about the required activity.

Descriptions should:

Updating the Assigned Party

The Action Party field allows users to reassign ownership of the action when required.

This may be necessary if:

Keeping ownership updated helps maintain accountability.

Changing Priority Levels

The Priority field can be modified to reflect changing operational risk levels or business requirements.

Priority updates help organizations:

Updating the Target Date

Users can revise the Target Date when timelines change.

Target dates should remain:

Updated dates help improve tracking and reporting accuracy.

Editing Action Details and Notes

The Action Details section allows users to:

Maintaining detailed notes improves communication and audit traceability.

Saving Changes

After updating the required fields:

  1. Review all changes carefully.
  2. Click Save or Save & Close.

The updated information will immediately appear within:

Benefits of Keeping Action Details Updated

Maintaining accurate action information helps organizations:

Best Practices

When editing action details:

The BowTie methodology is a barrier-based risk management approach used to identify, assess, and control risks in a clear and structured way. It provides a visual representation of how risks occur and how they can be prevented or mitigated.

This method is widely used across industries to improve safety, communicate risk, and support decision-making. 

What is a BowTie Model?

A BowTie model visually connects:

This structure allows organizations to clearly understand how risks develop and how they are managed.

Why Use BowTie?

The BowTie methodology helps organizations:

Where is BowTie Used?

BowTie is commonly used in industries such as:

It is especially useful in environments where risks are complex and high-impact.

Summary

The BowTie methodology provides a simple yet powerful way to understand and manage risk, combining visual clarity with structured analysis to support safer operations.

Overview

A BowTie model is built around several core elements that define how risks are structured and managed.

Hazard

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.

Examples include:

Hazards are often part of normal operations and cannot always be eliminated.

Top Event

The top event represents the moment when control over the hazard is lost. It is not the final outcome but the point where the system becomes unsafe.

Example:

Threats

Threats are the direct causes that can lead to the top event. They must have a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Example:

Consequences

Consequences are the outcomes that may occur if the top event is not controlled.

Example:

Summary

These elements form the backbone of the BowTie model, helping organizations clearly map how risks originate and develop.

Overview

Controls (or barriers) are measures used to manage risk within a BowTie model.

They are divided into two types:

Prevention Controls

Prevention controls are placed on the left side of the BowTie.

They are designed to:

Example:

Recovery Controls

Recovery controls are placed on the right side of the BowTie.

They are designed to:

Example:

Key Difference

Prevention Controls Recovery Controls
Stop the event Reduce impact
Before top event After top event

Summary

Together, prevention and recovery controls provide a complete risk management strategy, addressing both causes and outcomes.

What are Escalation Factors?

Escalation factors are conditions that can weaken or cause failure of controls. They do not directly cause the top event but increase the likelihood of it occurring.

Example

Why They Matter

Escalation factors help identify:

Escalation Factor Controls

Additional controls can be introduced to manage escalation factors and ensure primary controls remain effective.

Summary

Understanding escalation factors helps organizations ensure that their controls remain reliable and effective over time.

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