Pride and Prejudice

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Making the best use of time has become increasingly important within the heritage sector. Prioritizing objects for conservation treatment or preventive conservation remains a challenge for the conservation professional in the context of ever increasing public programmes. Different risk management methodologies have been used in the field of heritage conservation for some years. However, curators and conservators may have clear but diverging ideas about priority of work based on the value of the object in one case, or the vulnerability of the object in the other. Finding common ground based on the highest potential loss of value has been the subject of a series of stakeholder group discussions at the British Museum. Using only elements of value and vulnerability assessment out of common risk management methodologies, curators were asked to assess the value of their collection in a first step. In a second step, these assessments and the vulnerability of objects were discussed with colleagues from science and conservation. As a result, a visual map of priorities emerged, which had buy-in from all sides, and which formed the basis of a future work plan. This approach has helped to develop a shared understanding of priorities amongst different heritage professionals, and dealt effectively with prioritizing objects based on potential loss of value to objects and perceived risks.