Info Labels Give Context to Your Bowtie Diagram with Presight OpenRisk

by | Published Jul 2, 2025 | Last updated Jul 2, 2025

Bowtie diagrams are a graphic tool that are shaped like a bow-tie. Bowtie’s are centered around an unwanted event (top event) with preventative barriers to the left and mitigating barriers to the right of the top event. In this way, the bowtie visualises how threats can lead to unwanted events and how mitigating barriers can reduce the likelihood of an unwanted event or consequence occurring.  These can be easily made in a tool like Presight OpenRisk

A well-structured bowtie can allow you to get a good overview of your risk picture. Subsequently, Info Labels also known Metadata, will allow you to categories and give context to your bowtie diagram. 

In Presight OpenRisk, a web-based bowtie analysis tool, it allows you to add predefined Info Labels or create and customise your own info labels that meet your needs. In simple terms, Info Labels are information describing the different layers to your risk picture. 

So, what are Info Lables?

Info Labels are just “information about other information.” Most importantly, in the context of a bowtie diagrams, that means additional details about your barriers and top event. It can be who is responsible for that barrier, what compliance is relevant to that barrier, and details to the type of barrier it is.

On its own, a bowtie diagram shows you what exists. Info labels put it the context and tell you who is responsible, and what needs attention.

Why they matter

If five barriers are designed to prevent a top event, Info Labels help give context and meaning to the data behind them. This makes the information easier to find, organise, and understand.

By adding Info Labels, you can:

  • Assign criticality to the barrier elements
  • Clearly assign ownership and accountability
  • Distinguish between barrier types (automated, human, technical, organisational or operational barrier elements etc.)
  • Add context, links, and references for deeper insight
  • Prioritise maintenance where it is most needed
  • Describe which compliance relates to which barrier. 

What kind of Info Labels are useful?

Many risk management tools, like Presight OpenRisk already offer a range of info label types and you can often customise them to fit your organisation.

Some common examples include:

  • Barrier owner: Who is responsible for this barrier?
  • Barrier type: Is it technical equipment, or a human barrier such an organisational or operational barrier type?
  • Compliance requirements: Which compliance requirement does this support? 
  • Free text or links: Add explanations or external references to support decision-making 

Give context and your bowtie diagrams become not just informative but actionable. They add the context you need to assess responsibility, evaluate barrier relevance, and set risk-based priorities.

Showing a bowtie model with "Loss of well control" as the top event. The barriers are upgraded with Info Labels showing the barrier type, compliance requirements and more.

Info Labels might sound technical, but they are really just about clarity. 

For anyone working with operational or safety risk, it is a tool for smarter decisions and better information regarding your risk picture. Start today by making your own bowtie on Presight OpenRisk.

Watch video here to see how to make Info Labels:

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