The approach was originally developed by Jens Rasmussen[1] as part of a proactive risk management strategy, but its primary application has been as an accident analysis tool.
[10] The method also promotes a systemic view of accident causation as the AcciMap diagram extends well beyond the most immediate causes of the event to reveal the full range of higher-level factors that contributed to the outcome (or failed to prevent it from occurring).
The approach therefore helps to avoid blaming frontline individuals for accidents and leaving the factors that contributed to their behaviour unaddressed.
The highest levels generally incorporate governmental or societal-level causal factors, which are external to the organisation(s) involved in the event.
Compiling the multiple contributing factors and their interrelationships into a single logical diagram in this way helps analysts understand how and why the event took place and pinpoints problem areas that can be addressed to improve system safety.