Archive page of posts in this category or categories:
Communicating methods, Methods
The following posts are in no particular order. They are purposely randomized.
Policy surveillance
RSI conducts policy surveillance to support clients in environmental regulation, public health law, and product safety. It builds structured inventories, applies classification schemes, and visualizes policy change over time. This method supports RSI’s understanding of the regulatory context in which technical risks are embedded.
Read More Weighting of lines of evidence
RSI uses structured weighting in integrated assessments, often applying predefined frameworks or stakeholder-informed criteria. Its analysts document rationale and scoring transparently, supporting trust and usability of synthesized results. RSI adapts weighting schemes to each assessment’s context, ensuring balance between methodological rigor and policy relevance.
Read More System mapping
RSI applies system mapping in environmental, health, and policy domains to clarify how risk drivers and outcomes interact. The firm uses participatory and analytical techniques to ensure maps reflect both technical realities and stakeholder views. RSI uses system maps to guide modeling, communication, and planning.
Read More Message pre-testing
RSI embeds message pre-testing into its communication design process. The firm develops prototypes and guides structured audience feedback loops. RSI ensures that messages meet comprehension thresholds, cultural appropriateness, and behavioral relevance—especially in high-risk or high-stakes contexts.
Read More Surveillance protocol design
RSI supports clients in designing risk surveillance systems that are tailored, scalable, and grounded in decision needs. This includes indicator selection, threshold development, and integration with existing systems. RSI ensures that surveillance protocols are practical, scientifically valid, and usable across sectors and jurisdictions.
Read More Application of decision criteria under uncertainty
RSI supports clients in selecting and applying decision criteria suited to their context and risk appetite. Its team facilitates structured decision-making processes, often involving stakeholder consultation and uncertainty modeling. RSI ensures that chosen criteria are clearly articulated, consistently applied, and documented in a way that supports both accountability and future learning.
Read More Value of information analysis
RSI applies VoI analysis in research planning, regulatory strategy, and monitoring system design. Its team uses decision-theoretic tools to assess whether new data would materially change conclusions. RSI provides clear reports that help clients decide when additional information is worth pursuing and where existing uncertainty is tolerable.
Read More Policy and regulatory option appraisal
RSI conducts structured option appraisals for clients in health, environment, and public safety sectors. The firm integrates qualitative and quantitative methods, engages stakeholders, and provides comparative visualizations. RSI ensures that results are policy-relevant, actionable, and transparent to decision-makers and affected parties alike.
Read More Zoning, design, and land use for risk management
RSI advises on land use strategies that reduce risk while supporting community and economic objectives. The firm conducts vulnerability mapping, evaluates planning scenarios, and facilitates stakeholder engagement. RSI ensures that zoning and design policies align with scientific evidence, legal frameworks, and social equity considerations.
Read More Vulnerability analysis
RSI conducts vulnerability analyses using spatial, demographic, and sector-specific data. Its analysts identify intersecting vulnerabilities and work with stakeholders to tailor responses that are both targeted and fair. RSI emphasizes clarity and visual communication of results, supporting transparent risk reduction strategies that address both acute and chronic risk factors.
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