riskantsed

Riskantsed is a term encountered in some contemporary discussions of risk management and governance. It denotes an approach that blends formal risk assessment with participatory decision-making processes to produce decisions that are risk-informed and socially acceptable. The term is not widely standardized and may appear in academic, policy, or industry discussions.

In contrast to traditional risk assessment, which focuses on quantifying probability and impact, riskantsed emphasizes stakeholder engagement, transparency, and iterative refinement of risk judgments as new information becomes available. It seeks to connect technical risk analysis with values and preferences held by affected communities and decision-makers.

Core elements include clear articulation of objectives, inclusive identification of stakeholders, use of scenarios and both qualitative and quantitative analyses, transparent documentation of assumptions and uncertainties, and ongoing monitoring with adaptive management. The process aims to produce decisions that remain robust under changing conditions and new evidence.

Applications span public policy, infrastructure planning, corporate risk management, and environmental or social impact assessments, where decisions have wide-ranging consequences. Riskantsed is used to support risk-informed choices that reflect trade-offs, legitimacy, and resilience rather than purely technical optimization.

Criticisms include potential for increased time and resource demands, susceptibility to influence by powerful interests, and confusion with established terms such as risk governance or risk communication. Proponents argue that it can improve legitimacy, trust, and the effectiveness of risk responses. See also risk assessment, risk governance, risk management.