While the concept of a problem-centric approach to regulation has been around for some time, recognition and interest in the practice is growing among international and Australian regulators. Regulators like the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) are turning to this approach to help solve those thorny, problematic compliance issues that, despite their best efforts, they just can’t seem to get traction on using a more conventional process driven approach.

However, adopting a problem-centric approach is not for the faint hearted – it takes time, effort, leadership and, perhaps most elusively of all, it takes a shift in mind-set away from process-driven or function-driven regulation. The rewards are there though.