Delphi Method in ISO 31010 Risk Assessment | growGRC | growGRC
Delphi Method: A Structured Technique for Expert Risk Assessment
The Delphi Method is an expert-based risk assessment technique described in ISO 31010 that uses structured rounds of anonymous consultation to achieve informed consensus when evidence is incomplete or uncertainty is high.
Published: 8/1/2026Updated: 8/1/2026By growGRC Editorial Team
Executive Summary
The Delphi Method is an ISO 31010 risk assessment technique that gathers expert opinions through anonymous iterative rounds to improve decision-making under uncertainty.
✓It improves strategic decisions under uncertainty.
Delphi Method: A Structured Technique for Expert Risk Assessment
Executive Summary
The Delphi Method is a structured risk assessment technique that uses repeated rounds of anonymous expert consultation to collect opinions, reduce bias and develop a shared understanding of uncertain situations.
The technique is especially useful when historical data is limited, risks are emerging, future scenarios are difficult to quantify, or organizations need expert judgment to support strategic decisions.
Within ISO 31010, the Delphi Method is recognized as a valuable technique for risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation.
Unlike traditional meetings where dominant personalities can influence outcomes, Delphi creates a controlled environment where experts independently provide assessments before reviewing aggregated feedback.
Consensus improves understanding but does not eliminate uncertainty.
Delphi Method Applications
Common applications include:
enterprise risk management;
technology forecasting;
cybersecurity assessment;
business continuity planning;
regulatory impact analysis;
strategic planning;
environmental risk analysis.
Relationship with ISO 31010
ISO 31010 identifies Delphi as a technique that supports risk assessment activities when expert judgment is required.
It can support:
risk identification;
consequence analysis;
likelihood assessment;
scenario evaluation;
decision support.
Conclusion
The Delphi Method provides organizations with a disciplined approach to using expert knowledge when uncertainty prevents traditional analysis.
By combining anonymity, structured feedback and iterative consultation, organizations can improve risk understanding and make better-informed decisions.
