What does What-if analysis involve in RM?

• A. It eliminates all hazards before a mission.
• B. It replaces the need for hazard identification.
• C. It is used only after mission completion.
• D. It involves brainstorming potential hazards at each step and examining consequences to identify overlooked risks.

Answer: (D)

What-if analysis in risk management is a proactive brainstorming approach used during planning to surface hazards by asking how things could go wrong at each step and what the consequences would be. By considering potential deviations across the plan, you identify risks that might not be obvious and determine what mitigations or controls are needed. It isn’t about eliminating all hazards before the mission, it doesn’t replace hazard identification, and it isn’t reserved for after mission completion—the technique strengthens planning and risk assessment by revealing overlooked risks early.