Page 384 - Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Second Edition

Risk Analysis 371

Potential to Potential to
create value erode value

Identify Gate Assess Gate Select Gate Define Gate Execute Gate Operate

Shareholder Shareholder
Approval Approval
Figure 15.5 A typical stage-gate process.

Structured convergent
Divergent thinking: approaches to ensure
create alternatives
optimum concept selected

Figure 15.6 Schematic view of the brainstorming technique.
15.3.1. Brainstorming

The objective of the Assess Stage is to ensure that all reasonable alternatives have
been considered and screened in a consistent fashion before deciding upon a
‘solution’ too quickly. It is human nature to resort to the known and to exclude the
unfamiliar, and this can lead to lost opportunity. A useful technique to use at this
stage is that of brainstorming. No limits are placed on the team as this is done, and
a multidisciplinary approach works best. Some of the most original ideas come
from non-discipline team members who are unhindered in challenging what
the discipline may consider as paradigms. This stage corresponds to the divergent
thinking shown below. Nothing is impossible at this stage! The unfeasible options
will be screened out later (Figure 15.6).
Of course VoI techniques are applicable at this stage in determining if further
information gathering is justifiable.