Strategic Risk Management Tools For Construction Projects: A Case Study On Residential Tower Construction In Qatar

Strategic Management Tools for Risk Assessment in Construction Projects

Questions:

1. Identify strategic management tools from your Readings and credible online sources that could be used to analyse risk associated with your selected project (Residential Tower). Explain the impact of each of these tools on your project and how effective they are. 

2. Prepare a detailed response plan for the selected risk area. Your response plan should include a probability and impact assessment, prioritisation and identification of early warning indicators. In your response plan, also describe qualitative and quantitative tools that could be used to analyse risk associated with your selected project. Explain the impact and effectiveness each of these tools may have on your project. 

3. Explain how you considered stakeholder risk tolerance. Would your planning for individual risks change depending on a stakeholder’s tolerance for risk? If you had to prioritise the stakeholders depending on their risk tolerance, how would you still reassure those who were more risk tolerant?
 

Risk management is an important aspect of project management while developing a construction project. It is important to note that the change in the price level and the financial crisis has several adverse impacts on the completion of the project (Rostami, 2016). Along with that, there are several other challenges that are faced by a construction project due to the change in the external environmental factors (Rose, 2014). The paper has been developed to identify the strategic management tools that are required to identify the risk and analyse them to draw proper solutions to mitigate those issues. The paper will analyse the impact and effectiveness of the tools used to identify and analyse the risks. The paper also presents the stakeholders tolerance capability of the identified risks and its impact on the successful completion of the project.

The project has been developed to identify and analyse the risk involved in constructing a residential tower of twenty three storeys in Qatar. Construction of a mega building is always a challenge for engineers, not only because of the unique architectural demands but also owing to financial and legal constraints involved throughout the process. When planning for such a big project in a rapidly growing region like Qatar, the role played by the government should also be considered significantly to manage costs through applied infrastructure savings method (Oxford Business Group, 2016).

Some significant strategic management tools and techniques can be implemented to identify the risks associated with the construction project. In this given section, documentation reviews such as brainstorming, Delphi technique, diagramming techniques, and SWOT analysis can be identified as the most suitable risk assessment tools and techniques. In risk identification, brainstorming and Delphi technique can be utilized to distribute questionnaires to expert personnel (Forbes, Smith and Horner, 2008). On the basis of their comments and unbiased data, significant risks attached to the construction project can be identified. Invariably, SWOT analysis is another specific tool that can be effectively implemented to identify risk probabilities, adverse effect and risk ratings based on expert judgment (Wende, Herberg and Herzberg, 2015).

Identified Risk

In the case of discussing, qualitative risk analysis tools and techniques, probability and risk matrix, urgency risk assessment, risk categorization and risk impact assessment can be identified as the most significant tools. Through probability and impact matrix, proper quantitative analysis can be done using risk ratings (Cahill, 2007). Finally, after investigating the project objectives, quality assurance and risk issues, a significant level of risks can be accessed through interviewing stakeholders. Such risk analysis process will be highly effective for this particular construction project. 

In risk identification and risk management of a construction project, the importance strategic management tools and techniques are highly valuable. By implementing project specific risk management tools and techniques, the project manager can mitigate the risk factors and potential risk hazards to avoid any unwanted disputes to the ongoing construction project. Whether it is workforce related issues or financially oriented issues, effective risk management strategic tools can identify such risk factors at the beginning of a project to ensure the project will commence smoothly (Anderson-Cook, 2006). Meanwhile, effective strategic management tools can certify that the project will be completed within the estimated timeframe (Dey and Ogunlana, 2014).

Identified Risk	Impact Assessment	Probability	Priority	Early warning indicators	Tools used to analyse	Response Plan
Market Changes
Price Change	The change in price may lead to under budgeting and increase the expected cost of the project.	High	High	The changes in the government policies lead to change in the price level (Wang and Ortiz, 2013).	Qualitative as well as quantitative tools can be used to analyse the price fluctuation in the market.	To control such risks, analysis of price market should be the key to success
Change in Labour Wages	The change in labour wages leads to increase in the budget of the project.	Medium	High	It can be identified by interacting with the labour contractors and labour union.	The changes in labour wages can be analysed by conducting survey and analysing the information using qualitative as well quantitative analysis methods.	To control risks associated with the labour, significant research on the labour demand supply should be done (Wang and Ortiz, 2013)
Unavailability of Materials	The unavailability of materials leads to delay in the project completion.	Medium	Medium	The delay in the shipments is an early indicator of unavailability of raw materials.	The unavailability of raw materials can be analysed by conducting a survey and interviewing suppliers.	Significant inventory of the raw materials must be maintained to mitigate the risk
Production
Delay in work	The delay in work impacts the stakeholder’s interest.	High	High	Delay in completion of a single activity can lead to delay in the completion of the entire project.	It can be analysed using statistical tools and calculating the probability of its occurrence.	Proper planning and scheduling must be done to avoid delay in work
Labour Conflict	Labour conflicts lead to delay in work and impact the reputation of the company.	Low	Medium	Labour conflicts must be avoided on the earlier stage by interacting with them on a regular basis.	It can be analysed by conducting interviews of the employees and supervisors.	Significant management of labour and workers must be done to avoid any sort of conflict
Legal Obstacles	Legal obstacles lead to delay in work and loss of reputation. It also leads to financial loss.	Medium	Medium	Legal obstacles can be identified by communicating with the legal advisors.	It can be analysed using qualitative study of the new policies and regulations implemented by the government.	Legal advisory committee must be hired to control any risks associated with legal aspects
Working Capital
Improper Budgeting	Improper budgeting leads to financial losses and impacts the interest of the stakeholders.	High	Medium	Improper budgeting can be identified by maintaining the accounts on a regular basis and estimating the cost for further construction.	Quantitative tool is required to analyse the risk of improper budgeting.	Significant financial professionals must be hired to mitigate such risks in case of emergency situation
Extra Expenses	Extra expenses lead to failure of the budget and increase the pressure over the investors.	High	Low	Extra expenses can be identified by continuously interacting with the finance department.	Quantitative analysis is required to identify the risk of it.	To control extra expenses, certain monetary resources must be confirmed (Schermerhorn, 2013)
Conflict with Investors	Conflict with investors adversely impacts the completion of the project and even leads to financial loss.	Low	High	It can be identified by regularly communicating with them.	A survey and interview is required to analyse the risk of conflict with the investors.	Significant discussion session with the investors must be done to control any conflicts among the investors
Fixed Assets
Quality Issue	Quality issue is another factor that impacts the stakeholder’s interest over the project (Schermerhorn, 2013).	Medium	High	Quality issues can be identified by monitor the activities of the project team and conducting quality check on a regular basis.	Quality issues can be analysed using interview and survey. Along with that, proper calculation is required to analyse the variance.	Quality assurance team must be hired to signify the quality of manufacturing
Weather Issue	Being a 23 storey building the project will be impacted by the weather and high speed of wind. It is important to consider the fact for safety and proper completion of the project.	Medium	Medium	Weather Issues can be identified by communicating with the engineers and other local government authorities.	Weather issues can be analyzed using quantitative analysis method such as statistical calculations and probability.	Safety equipment and devices must be used during absurd weather conditions to continue the work
Financial Risk	Delay in the completion of the project may lead to financial losses.	Medium	High	Financial issues can be identified by regularly interacting with the stakeholders.	Financial issues can be analysed using statistical and mathematical analysis.	To mitigate financial risks significant financial assessment must be done to make the project a success

Qualitative and quantitative risk analyses tool helps to observe the probability and impact of the risk on the project objectives. Furthermore, the qualitative and quantitative analyses tools make the project team aware of the facts and situation at which the operations of the construction project may face several issues (Stonham, 2015). On the basis of these analyses, the project team can prepare plans to minimise the occurrence of uncertainties that can help in proper and appropriate completion of the residential towers. The interview and surveys helps in continuous communication with the stakeholders that helps to observe their views and understand their thoughts regarding the construction project (Tworek, 2012). Along with that, the qualitative and quantitative tools also increase the accuracy and appropriateness of the risk management strategy that is quite helpful in proper construction of the residential towers.

Stakeholder risk tolerance is another factor in project development. In the case of high risk projects, the stakeholders such as workforce and investors would prefer to delay the project as much as possible. Unless the risk tolerance is satisfactory, the investors will not allow the project to commence (Malz, 2011). 

In order to monitor the stakeholder risk tolerance factor, the project manager must have a fair idea about the project and organizational environmental factors such as workforce, expertise, technological efficiency and financial strength to make accurate understanding of the risk tolerance. If the risk tolerance is high, the organizational standards must back up with resources. By identifying the assets and liabilities of an organization, a project manager can determine the risk tolerance of stakeholders (Gwanoya, 2007). Invariably, the previously completed projects must be taken into consideration to identify the stakeholder risk tolerance.

To certify the level of risk tolerance, project manager of the construction project must assess the risks correctly so that major roots of the risks can be identified. By prioritizing the level of risks, significant contingency plans and risk mitigation plans can be implemented in the project. Apart from that, remembering the stakeholder risk tolerance, prominent risk monitoring system can be promoted in the construction project (Hatefi and Seyedhoseini, 2012). In case of small investors, they have comparatively less risk taking capabilities. Hence, understanding the financial position of the investors will be key to identify the risk tolerance capability. 

Conclusion

At the end of all, it is mandatory to mention that stakeholder management strategy is highly impressive to prepare a strategic risk management plan. By identifying the stakeholder risk tolerance factors, the project manager must create a positive influence on the stakeholders by showing the project perspective and benefits. Also, there are some risks attached to the communication process. In addition to that, the external and internal environmental factors of the organization must be overviewed to create a purposeful risk management strategy suitable to meet the requirement of the construction project. Meanwhile, the risks analysis and strategic tools must be monitored at the highest standards to create a positive impact on the project stakeholders ensuring project deliverables, quality and cost.  

References

Anderson-Cook, C. (2006). Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, and Tools. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 101(476), pp.1731-1732.

Cahill, D. (2007). Target marketing and segmentation: valid and useful tools for marketing.Management Decision, 35(1), pp.10-13.

Dey, P. and Ogunlana, S. (2014). Selection and application of risk management tools and techniques for buildâ€Âoperateâ€Âtransfer projects. Industr Mngmnt & Data Systems, 104(4), pp.334-346.

Forbes, D., Smith, S. and Horner, M. (2008). Tools for selecting appropriate risk management techniques in the built environment. Construction Management and Economics, 26(11), pp.1241-1250.

Gwanoya, T. (2007). Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, Tools. By Alexander J. McNeil, Rüdiger Frey & Paul Embrechts (Princeton University Press, 2005). Annals of Actuarial Science, 2(01), pp.187-189.

Hatefi, M. and Seyedhoseini, S. (2012). Comparative Review on the Tools and Techniques for Assessment and Selection of the Project Risk Response Actions (RRA). International Journal of Information Technology Project Management, 3(3), pp.60-78.

Malz, A. (2011). Financial risk management. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.

Oxford Business Group, (2016) Overview, Infrastructure building to help sustain Qatar’s growth past 2022. Available at: https://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/infrastructure-building-help-sustain-qatars-growth-past-2022 (Accessed on: 25 May 2016).

Rose, K. (2014). Personal Effectiveness in Project Management: Tools, Tips & Strategies to Improve your Decision-making, Motivation, Confidence, Risk-taking, Achievement and Sustainability.Project Management Journal, 45(2), pp.e1-e1.

Rostami, A. (2016). Tools and Techniques in Risk Identification: A Research within SMEs in the UK Construction Industry. ujm, 4(4), pp.203-210.

Schermerhorn, J. (2013). Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Stonham, P. (2015). Financial engineering: Tools and techniques to manage financial risk. European Management Journal, 13(4), pp.456-457.

Tworek, P. (2012). Plan Risk Response as a Stage of Risk Management in Investment Projects in Polish and U.S. Construction – Methods, Research. Annals of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University – Economics, 59(1).

Wang, D. and Ortiz, J. (2013). Introduction to Selected Papers from Risk Assessment and Crisis Response 2011. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 19(2), pp.385-388.

Wende, W., Herberg, A. and Herzberg, A. (2015). Mitigation banking and compensation pools: improving the effectiveness of impact mitigation regulation in project planning procedures. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 23(2), pp.101-111.