Methodological considerations in using AcciMaps and the Risk Management Framework to analyse large-scale systemic failures

In this paper we describe our use of the AcciMap and RiskManagement (ActorMap) framework (RMF) to analyse tworecent accidents – the infection outbreaks which occurred at theMaidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and the 2005Stockwell Shooting incident. Previous work using AcciMaps andthe RMF is described and reviewed in section 2 of the paper. Wethen describe the case studies followed by an account of our goalsand the procedure used to carry out the accident analyses (section3). The differences in our use of the methods are described insection 4 of the paper. Finally, we reflect on these differences inorder to develop of a set of criteria which could be used to scopemore detailed guidelines for the selection and use of the twomethods.