What is the Delphi Method used for in risk analysis?

The Delphi Method is primarily utilized for forming a consensus opinion through surveys, which makes it a particularly valuable tool in risk analysis. This technique gathers insights and judgments from a panel of experts through a series of questionnaires or rounds.

The advantage of the Delphi Method lies in its ability to facilitate anonymous responses, ensuring that the opinions of individual experts are independent and not influenced by group dynamics. By iterating rounds of questions, this method allows participants to reconsider their responses based on insights shared, effectively refining the group’s collective judgment over time. This process is especially useful when dealing with complex issues where there is a need to reach a well-rounded and informed consensus.

In contrast, gathering statistical data on risks typically involves quantitative analysis rather than expert opinion, analyzing past incidents focuses on historical data rather than predictive consensus, and creating risk policies is an outcome that may be informed by consensus opinions but is not the method's primary focus. Thus, the Delphi Method's strength lies in its structured approach to achieve consensus on risk-related matters through expert surveys, making it the correct choice in this context.