Event tree analysis

Event tree analysis (ETA) is a forward, top-down, logical modeling technique for both success and failure that explores responses through a single initiating event and lays a path for assessing probabilities of the outcomes and overall system analysis.[1] This analysis technique is used to analyze the effects of functioning or failed systems given that an event has occurred.[2]

ETA is a powerful tool that will identify all consequences of a system that have a probability of occurring after an initiating event that can be applied to a wide range of systems including: nuclear power plants, spacecraft, and chemical plants. This technique may be applied to a system early in the design process to identify potential issues that may arise, rather than correcting the issues after they occur.[3] With this forward logic process, use of ETA as a tool in risk assessment can help to prevent negative outcomes from occurring, by providing a risk assessor with the probability of occurrence. ETA uses a type of modeling technique called "event tree", which branches events from one single event using Boolean logic.

  1. ^ Clemens, P.L.; Rodney J. Simmons (March 1998). "System Safety and Risk Management". NIOSH Instructional Module, A Guide for Engineering Educators. Cincinnati,OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: IX-3–IX-7.
  2. ^ Wang, John et al. (2000). What Every Engineer Should Know About Risk Engineering and Management, p. 69., p. 69, at Google Books
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Clifton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).