How is a Bow-tie diagram used in incident analysis?

• A. It maps the sequence of tasks in a project timeline.
• B. It tracks financial losses after an incident.
• C. It shows both causes leading to the event and the consequences with preventive and mitigative barriers.
• D. It is used to assign blame to individuals.

Answer: (C)

A Bow-tie diagram centers on a top event and shows how hazards can lead to that incident on the left, with preventive barriers that could stop it from occurring. On the right, it maps the possible consequences and the mitigation barriers that reduce impact if the incident happens. This setup makes it easy to see where controls exist, where gaps are, and how different safeguards interact to prevent escalation. It also helps assign responsibility and prioritize improvements by highlighting residual risks after barriers are in place. It isn’t about mapping project tasks, tracking financial losses, or assigning blame to individuals.