Structured Professional Judgment

Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) is a systematic way of assessing risk in specific situations, such as determining if someone might pose a danger to themselves or others. It combines factual information, professional expertise, and a set of structured guidelines to evaluate risk factors. The goal is to ensure consistency and fairness while allowing clinicians to consider individual circumstances. Unlike purely checklist methods, SPJ encourages thoughtful analysis and judgment, helping professionals make informed decisions based on evidence and experience rather than guesswork alone.