In the aftermath of catastrophes, it is common to find prior indicators, missed signals, and dismissed alerts that, had they been recognized and appropriately managed before the event, could have resulted in the undesired event being averted. These indicators are typically called "precursors." Accident Precursor Analysis and Management: Reducing Technological Risk Through Diligence documents various industrial and academic approaches to detecting, analyzing, and benefiting from accident precursors and examines public-sector and private-sector roles in the collection and use of precursor information. The book includes the analysis, findings and recommendations of the authoring NAE committee as well as eleven individually authored background papers on the opportunity of precursor analysis and management, risk assessment, risk management, and linking risk assessment and management.Table of ContentsFront MatterSection I Committee Summary Report1 The Accident Precursors Project: Overview and RecommendationsSection II Keynote Speakers2 The Opportunity of PrecursorsOn Signals, Response, and Risk Mitigation: A Probabilistic Approach to the Detection and Analysis of PrecursorsSection III Risk Assessment4 Understanding Accident Precursors5 Defining and Analyzing Precursors6 Nuclear Accident Precursor Assessment: The Accident Sequence Precursor ProgramSection IV Risk Management7 Inherently Safer Design8 Checking for Biases in Incident Reporting9 Knowledge Management in High-Hazard Industries: Accident Precursors as PracticeSection V Linking Risk Assessment and Risk Management10 Cross-Industry Applications of a Confidential Reporting Model11 Stuck on a Plateau: A Common Problem12 Ensuring Robust Military Operations and Combating Terrorism Using Accident Precursor ConceptsAppendix A Letters to the CommitteeAppendix B Workshop AgendaAppendix C Workshop ParticipantsAppendix D A Note on DefinitionsAppendix E Biographies of AuthorsAppendix F Biographies of Committee Members