Validity and validation of safety-related quantitative risk analysis: A review

Goerlandt, Floris; Khakzad, N.; Reniers, G.L.L.M.E.

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2016.08.023

Validity and validation of safety-related quantitative risk analysis: A review

Title

Validity and validation of safety-related quantitative risk analysis: A review

Author

Goerlandt, Floris
Khakzad, N. (TU Delft Safety and Security Science)
Reniers, G.L.L.M.E. (TU Delft Safety and Security Science)

Date

2016

Abstract

Quantitative risk analysis (QRA) is widely applied in several industries as a tool to improve safety, as part of design, licensing or operational processes. Nevertheless, there is much less academic research on the validity and validation of QRA, despite their importance both for the science of risk analysis and with respect to its practical implication for decision-making and improving system safety. In light of this, this paper presents a review focusing on the validity and validation of QRA in a safety context. Theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions in the scientific literature are reviewed, focusing on three questions. Which theoretical views on validity and validation of QRA can be found? Which features of QRA are useful to validate a particular QRA, and which frameworks are proposed to this effect? What kinds of claims are made about QRA, and what evidence is available for QRA being valid for the stated purposes? A discussion follows the review, focusing on the available evidence for the validity of QRA and the effectiveness of validation methods.

Subject

Risk analysis
Validation
Foundational issues
Quantitative risk analysis
QRA

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:503f279f-5b33-4c31-b77a-c92126f1c521

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2016.08.023

ISSN

0925-7535

Source

Safety Science

Part of collection

Institutional Repository