Hi traceymraw,
In the past for projects at work, I’ve used brainstorming and the Fishbone Diagram for identifying and organizing potential risks in projects. I find the Fishbone Diagram most beneficial because it helps visually break down the root causes of issues into clear categories. When we were running into some issues on an ice plant project this diagram was making it easier to address the actual issue itself. Brainstorming is great for generating ideas in the early stages, but the Fishbone Diagram organizes those ideas into actionable insights. It is especially useful when working in teams.

I have used FMEA and Fish Bone Diagrams in past projects to identify and analyze potential risks systematically. FMEA is my preferred tool because it provides a structured approach to prioritize risks based on severity, occurrence, and detectability, making it highly effective for complex systems. Fish Bone Diagrams are also useful for brainstorming and identifying root causes of issues but are less detailed compared to FMEA. I find FMEA particularly beneficial for documenting risk management decisions in compliance with regulatory standards like ISO 14971. While brainstorming is great for generating ideas, I prefer tools that offer more actionable insights and clear prioritization.