Classification

It can be helpful to classify catalysts into one or more of eight broad categories.

These categories are designated by our “EMPERORS” classification as follows
 Environmental
 Medical
 Political
 Economic
 Religious
 Other
 Regional*
 Social

*This should be used in conjunction with other categorisations which are expected to have only a localised effect. For example “Social – Regional” or “Environmental – Regional”.

Note that this it is hoped that a wide range of categories will help to both stimulate ideas and encourage actuaries to liaise with other disciplines to call upon their expertise.

A further optional classification is

Uniform

Sequential

Uniform relates to those catalysts which are expected to have an impact that is evenly distributed throughout the target population. For example, a the introduction of a vaccine.

Sequential relates to those catalysts whose effects are expected to cascade sequentially through the target population in some way. For example, the impact on smoking habits through different social classes.