Create a New bowtie in BowTie Pro

Overview

Creating a bowtie is the first step in building an analysis in BowTie Pro. A bowtie represents a risk scenario and forms the foundation for everything that follows — the threats that could trigger it, the consequences that could result, and the controls that manage both. Getting this first step right sets your whole analysis up on solid ground, so it’s worth taking a moment over the details.

This guide walks you through the process from start to finish.

Steps to Create a New bowtie

1. Go to the Hazards Section

From the top menu, click Hazards
This opens the Hazard List screen, where all existing hazards are grouped by location and category.

2. Click “New Bowtie”

On the right side of a location group, click New Bowtie
The Hazard Details screen will open, ready for you to fill in.

Tip: Choosing New Hazard from within the right location group saves a step — the hazard is automatically filed under that location, though you can still change it on the next screen.

Hazard Details Fields Explained

On the Hazard Details screen, you’ll complete the following fields. The screenshot at the end of this section shows how they all sit together.

3. Select Location

Click Select Location
Choose the appropriate location/category (e.g., Business Risks, General, etc.)

This determines where the hazard will be grouped in your lists and reports.

4. Enter Reference

Add a unique Reference for the hazard
For example: H01, L02, and so on.

A clear reference makes the hazard easy to identify in lists, filters, and reports later.

Tip: A consistent reference scheme pays off as your analysis grows. A simple prefix system — H for hazard, followed by a number — keeps large registers easy to scan.

5. Enter Hazard

Provide a clear description of the hazard
Example: Working at height

This defines the source of risk — the activity, object, or condition you’re analysing.

6. Define Top Event

Enter the Top Event (loss of control scenario)
Example: Fall or dropped object

The top event represents the exact point at which control over the hazard is lost — the centre of your BowTie, from which threats and consequences branch out.

7. Select Type

Choose the hazard type from the dropdown
Default example: Major Hazard

The Hazard Type helps classify the bowtie by its severity or category. Each Hazard Type has a different colour on the Hazard tree and center of the bowtie.

8. Add Hazard Remarks (Optional)

Enter any additional notes or context about the hazard

This is a useful place to record assumptions, scope notes, or anything a future reviewer should know.

9. Set Next Review Date (Optional)

Select a Next Review Date using the calendar icon

Setting a review date will ensure the bowtie is flagged up for review when its Review date is reached. This helps keep the analysis current by scheduling periodic checks and preventing the bowtie from becoming out of date.

10. Categories (Optional)

If appropriate choose applicable categories such as:
- Environment
- Health
- Safety

These classifications help you filter and report on hazards across your analysis.

Final Step: Save the Hazard

Once all required fields are filled:

Click Save & Close
The hazard will be created and added to the selected location

Fields outlined in red on the Hazard Details screen are required — if Save doesn’t complete, check that each of these has been filled in.

Once the Save button is clicked BowTie Pro will next display the bowtie diagram from which the next steps can be performed.

What’s Next?

Creating a hazard is a straightforward process, but it lays the foundation for your entire risk analysis. With the hazard and its top event in place, you can move on to define the threats that could lead to it, the consequences that could follow, and the controls that prevent and mitigate them — completing the full BowTie model.