1. Why and how to identify the causes of risks?

One of the pillars of a project risk analysis approach is the implementation of action plans to prevent these risks and minimize their impact ("mitigation plan").

To define and implement relevant and effective action plans, it is essential to have a good analysis of these risks (i.e. a clear understanding of the problem) and to identify the root causes.

The Ishikava (or fishbone) diagram is the proposed method for finding causes:

• structures thinking and, in so doing, makes it easier to identify the "real" causes behind risks;

• is easy to implement and can therefore be applied routinely to identify risks in most cases;

• is a visual method ideally suited to group work at all levels of the hierarchy.