This article uses a recent study of riverbank erosion to showcase some of the conceptual features of evaluating an eroding soil slope. The focus of this article is on the assumptions and decisions made before and after the stability calculation. Although the larger project evaluated the overall impacts of the river on erosion, this article will only discuss the riverbank stability component. The choices made prior to the calculation, including identification of the input parameters and analysis methods, determine the calculation output and needs to be considered in the output interpretation. Evaluating natural, non-engineered slopes also requires careful evaluation of safety factor concepts. Failure types and the environments they result from are likely more significant for the understanding of erosion potential than the safety factor.