I think that the risk/ benefit ratio is used throughout the product life cycle but not in cooperation with the risk management process. The risk management process is for aspects that are going to happen like coatings and packaging. They will be used but they may be altered to lower any present risk if the risk is high. I think that the risk/benefit ratio is used to decide if something is going to occur or not. As someone stated before deciding whether or not a project is going to be worth it for the company. It is also used when determining if clinical studies are worth the physical risk to patients.