THE RAPID IMPACT ASSESSMENT MATRIX (RIAM)	27/06/2008
	The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) is a powerful system that organises and analyses the components selected by the scoping of any holistic environmental impact assessment. The RIAM method provides a completely transparent record of the process, coupled with a fast analysis system and understandable results that can be simply presented. The RIAM method Provides a transparent record of the RIAM judgements made and analysis results Provides a clear, permanent record not dependent on description or written text Allows rapid comparison of development options & ‘what if’ conditions Provides an evaluation platform for all sectors allowing a full and balanced picture of potential impacts Organises the analysis process of an assessment, allowing it to be easily understood, replicated and updated The concept of RIAM was developed by Christopher Pastakia in the late 1980’s, and was further researched, tested and developed when Chris Pastakia joined the Danish Water Quality Institute (VKI). A number of VKI staff left the institute after its merger with DHI, and joined Carl Bro International. Chris Pastakia and Kim Vagn Jacobsen (who designed the original RIAM software) now collaborated and designed a new spreadsheet version of RIAM. This version is offered by Grontmij/Carl Bro as freeware, requiring only registration for the download. To download the RIAM spreadsheet click here. For further information on RIAM follow this link to the RIAM webpage (www.pastakia.com/riam).