Always ask

Do the advantages outweigh the risks?

Always consider the balance between the costs and benefits of interventions

Decisions should be informed by the balance between the potential benefits (positive effects) and the costs (risks and negative side effects) of a management intervention. This balance often depends on the potential risks (i.e. the likelihood of a negative outcome), and on the consequences of not intervening (i.e. the severity of the problems the intervention aims to solve).

The balance between the costs and benefits of an intervention is more likely to favour an intervention if the consequences of not doing anything are worse. However, it also depends on how much people value (how much weight they give to) the costs and benefits.

Different organisations and different stakeholders may value costs and benefits differently and sometimes make different decisions because of this.

BEWARE

An intervention may have unintended side effects that outweigh its benefits.