The Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Analysis and Why It Matters (Part 3)
s we saw in part 2 of this series, some of the traditional arguments used for distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative risk analysis (RA) are based upon dubious assumptions. Many writers assume that “quantitative” equals objective and numerical, while “qualitative” equals subjective and non-numerical. This is incorrect, however. Both quantitative and qualitative RA are compatible with objective and subjective approaches. Additionally, both types of RA must be numerical in order to be meaningful. So if the quantitative-qualitative distinction isn’t significant because one is objective and numerical while the other is subjective and non-numerical, then why does the distinction matter?