How do you explain risk assessment results to non-technical people?

1 Define risk assessment

Before you present your results, you need to make sure that your audience understands what risk assessment is and why it is relevant for marine engineering. Risk assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the potential hazards and consequences of a marine activity or system. It helps you to determine the level of risk and the measures to reduce or eliminate it. Risk assessment is essential for marine engineering because it helps you to ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of your projects and operations.

2 Simplify the terminology

One of the main challenges of explaining risk assessment results to non-technical people is the use of technical terms and acronyms. While you may be familiar with words like FMEA, HAZOP, ALARP, or SIL, your audience may not. Therefore, you need to simplify the terminology and use plain language to describe the concepts and methods of risk assessment. For example, instead of saying FMEA, you can say failure analysis, and instead of saying HAZOP, you can say hazard analysis. You can also use analogies, examples, or visuals to illustrate your points.

3 Focus on the key findings

Another challenge of explaining risk assessment results to non-technical people is the amount and complexity of the data and information. While you may have conducted a thorough and detailed analysis, your audience may not be interested in or able to follow all the details. Therefore, you need to focus on the key findings and highlight the most important and relevant aspects of your results. For example, you can summarize the main risks, their likelihood and severity, their impact on the objectives and outcomes, and the recommendations for risk mitigation.

4 Relate to the context

A third challenge of explaining risk assessment results to non-technical people is the connection between the results and the context of the project or operation. While you may have conducted a rigorous and objective analysis, your audience may have different perspectives, expectations, or interests. Therefore, you need to relate your results to the context and show how they address the needs and concerns of your audience. For example, you can explain how your results support the goals and requirements of the project or operation, how they align with the standards and regulations, and how they add value and benefit to your audience.

5 Anticipate questions and objections

A fourth challenge of explaining risk assessment results to non-technical people is the potential questions and objections that your audience may have. While you may have presented your results in a clear and convincing way, your audience may still have doubts, queries, or criticisms. Therefore, you need to anticipate the possible questions and objections that your audience may have and prepare your answers and arguments. For example, you can anticipate questions about the assumptions, limitations, or uncertainties of your analysis, or objections about the feasibility, cost, or effectiveness of your recommendations.

6 Engage and interact

A fifth and final challenge of explaining risk assessment results to non-technical people is the engagement and interaction with your audience. While you may have explained your results in a simple and relevant way, your audience may still be bored, confused, or indifferent. Therefore, you need to engage and interact with your audience and make your presentation more dynamic and interactive. For example, you can use stories, anecdotes, or humor to capture their attention, ask questions or polls to solicit their feedback, or invite them to share their opinions or experiences to foster a dialogue.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?