Creating measures
You can create measures in two places: directly on the bow-tie diagram by clicking a connection line, or from the Action Register. Both methods produce the same result. Choose whichever fits your workflow.
Create from the bow-tie view
The bow-tie is the most intuitive place to add measures. You pick the exact connection line the measure protects, so the relationship between cause, risk, and effect stays clear.
Open the bow-tie view
Navigate to your risk and open the Bow-tie tab. Causes appear on the left, the risk event sits in the center, and effects are on the right.
Click a connection line
Click the line connecting a cause to the risk (prevention side) or the risk to an effect (mitigation side). This opens the measure creation panel for that specific pathway.
Fill in the measure details
Complete the form fields described below. Give the measure a clear, action-oriented title and assign an owner.
Save the measure
Save to attach the measure. It appears on the bow-tie diagram along the connection line, showing exactly which pathway it protects.
Drag and drop
You can drag measures between connection lines in the bow-tie view. Reassign a measure to a different pathway if you realize it better addresses another cause or effect.
Create from the Action Register
Open the global Action Register or the project-level Actions tab and click the add button. You will need to select the risk and connection line manually, since you are not starting from the bow-tie view.
Measure fields
Every measure has the following fields. Only the title is required, but we recommend setting an owner and due date at minimum so nothing falls through the cracks.
Clear, action-oriented description of what will be done.
Select from team members via a dropdown with avatars.
Not started, In progress, or Complete.
Percentage slider showing completion from 0 to 100%.
Target completion deadline for the measure.
When work on this measure should begin.
Date to receive a follow-up notification.
Anticipated risk reduction percentage when fully implemented.
Assigning owners and due dates
Every measure should have a clear owner and timeline. Without accountability, measures tend to remain good intentions rather than completed work.
Measure owners
- Assign one person who is accountable for completion
- Choose someone with authority to act on the measure
- Owners receive notifications and reminders automatically
- Track owner workload across measures in the Action Register
Key dates
- Start date: when work should begin
- Due date: target completion deadline
- Reminder date: triggers a follow-up notification
- Overdue measures are flagged automatically
See also
- Attaching measures — how measures sit on bow-tie connection lines
- Causes & effects — build the bow-tie structure that measures protect