Precedent type analysis (PTA) emerged in China in the 1980s. It is a principle and method used for rapid analysis and prediction of rock stability in tunnelling projects. In this paper, PTA is formally defined and emphasis is placed on the application of PTA to the assessment of designs for diversion tunnels at the Ertan hydro-electric station. It compares PTA with the conventional analysis of rock mechanics; it also contrasts their applications and conclusions.