Construction Risk Assessment

 Original article: Construction Risk Assessment

Construction projects can be dangerous places so understanding risk assessments and safety management is vital.  Everyone from the project manager to the site foreman need to be aware of any and all risks at every stage in the construction process. So, controlling risks takes good risk management to prevent or minimize the realization of any risks.

A construction risk assessment should be first addressed at the design stage to address any potential risks before the project ever begins. Next up, the project managers should complete a project risk assessment before any worker sets foot on the site and also have a method to monitor any risks at each stage of construction, a tool that can consider all the risks and possible risks. The tool or system should also be able to help the project manager mitigate any perceived risks and the financial cost associated with each risk. Also, it is important to be able to consider the cost to the whole project if they were to occur.

This brings us to the question; how do you stay on top of managing project risk assessments? The answer is you need good processes, procedures and construction management software. Here are some steps to help keep construction risks under control.

Know the source of potential risks

To manage construction risks, complete a construction risk assessment. Be thorough and consider the following areas:

• Contractual risks. Missing milestone deadlines can cost time, money and a business its reputation.
• Occupational risks. The nature of a construction site means there are many risks that can cause injury and possible death. Worker behaviour, technology, working methods, weather or a third party can cause accidents.
• Project risks. The lack of good project management, workplace procedures, or workplace policies and procedures that are ignored and poor time management are just few project risks.
• Natural risks. Natural risks (storms, earthquakes) are beyond your control but can shut a construction site down.
• Financial risks. Financial risks include rising interest rates, a surge in material prices and a lack of sales.
• Stakeholder risks. Use project management software to bridge communication problems, miscommunication over changes and deliverables.
• Competition. Competitors can make life tough. They can drop prices to undercut prices and build times. This can put you under pressure to meet the same terms and put the project's profit at risk.

Assess risks for their order of importance

Assess the risks into order of importance from most likely to occur to the least likely. Also, rate each risk for the level of damage it can do if it does occur and the potential cost to your business.

Dealing with identified risks

Construction sites are busy, dangerous places. Although the risks are varied, there are four basic management techniques to manage risks:

• Avoid. You may choose to only take on a project in the summer of an area that has winter snow to avoid the risk of time delays.
• Transfer. Ensure there are good contracts in place with suppliers and subcontractors so they take responsibility for missing deadline agreements with the company. Make sure the project has the appropriate insurances to cover any accidents.
• Mitigate. Some risks you cannot completely remove. You can reduce the dangers of safety hazards, for example, but you cannot completely remove them.
• Accept. Seasonal weather can be difficult to avoid. But, with planning and long-range forecasts you can work to reduce the impact on the project.
  
  
  

  Use the right software

  Once you decide how to deal with the risks arising from a project risk assessment, use technology to help optimize risk management methods. Good construction project management software helps manage all facets of a construction project. From costs to risk management, good software can make all facets of construction management more manageable and save time by:
• simplifying the project risk assessment process
• helping businesses comply with legislation
• assessing and recording all tasks and risks on a risk assessment matrix
• opening up transparent communication between managers, workers and stakeholders
• adding everyone involved in the project along with their contact details into a central database
• producing project-specific risk assessment and method statements
• customizing the software to meet the needs of individual projects
• providing a safe repository for project related documents that is available 24/7

Republished from the RaptorPM blog titled:

What is a Construction Punch List?

What is a Construction Punch List?

A construction punch list, is a list of things that do not conform to contract specifications near project completion. Also known as a snag list, it defines everything that needs addressing before final sign off and occupancy of the building.

As every contractor knows, construction projects can be difficult to manage. They can involve multiple stakeholders, risk assessments, O&M manuals plus lots of other project documentation. If any detail is missing it can delay the project completion with the knock on effect of costing the contractor  both time and money, not to mention the threat of legal action. This is why staying organized at every stage is critical to the success of any project.

When it comes to a punch list, it can be minor repairs to things like finishes and finishing off tiles; installing anything that is still outstanding such as an air conditioning system and cleaning the building ready for use. A punch list includes any final changes to the scope of the project made at the last minute and even warranties or other paperwork that needs chasing up.

The punch or snag list in an integral part of the construction contract. It is a control mechanism to meet the quality standards of the project plans and client’s expectations. There may be penalties if there is something the client is not happy about or the work does not meet satisfactory standards.

Creating an accurate punch list keeps everyone happy. It gives everyone a clear understanding of what work there is to do and timelines for completion. It is also an opportunity for the client to bring up any other concerns. The requirements for a punch list are set out during construction project planning. It is the responsibility of everyone involved with the project to ensure the punch gets completed on time. 

Final handover

The punch list is a critical step in the construction process. Task and Project Tracking means there are few surprises when you get to the end of the project. These are the last tasks to complete the building for final handover to the new owners.

Tips for construction management safety Raptorpm

Construction safety is serious business with legal and employee welfare implications. During the course of construction management, companies must ensure they take care of their workers. Organizations’ can face criminal charges if they do not comply with occupational health and safety legislation.

Accidents rates can increase on construction sites if safety is not on everyone’s mind. Also, laws are tightening to protect workers in the construction industry. Workers have the right to work in a safe environment, free from the fear of having an injury or worse. While it is a worker’s responsibility to take care of their own safety while on a work site, the employer handles construction management safety. Employers must conduct risk assessments, put risk management policies and procedures in place to guide their workers. Part of that is keeping up-to-date health and safety records, as well as organisational safety processes and procedures.

Tips for construction management safety

Construction Risk Management software can help organisations manage risk strategies in compliance with legislation. And, for the safety of all workers and anyone else on a construction site.

Even if you are following workplace occupational health and safety guidelines, there are things you should instil into construction workers. Learn how to practice the management of construction projects with appropriate safety requirements. Some is simple commonsense.

Chemical threats

Correct storage of chemicals is important. Some can react with each when stored close together. Workers must know how to deal with chemicals in accordance with manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures. Disastrous consequences can be the result if a chemical spill occurs. All workers handling dangerous chemicals must have the correct training to remain safe.

Construction Project Management Insights

Construction Project Management Insights


Construction project management is more complex than ever in a digital age coupled with increased legislation. So, working with teams of architects and designers as well as contractors and other interested stakeholders means keeping things on track is harder. These days you need tools that help you manage project delivery, risk assessments, o and m manuals etc. Technology is one of the greatest enablers for the successful delivery of construction project management. It provides the tools to manage construction projects cost-effectively, quickly and safely.

One common issue every construction project faces is managing requests for information (RFIs). These have the ability to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in project delays. Some RFIs may be unjustifiable, while the actual answers could already be in the contract or they are design requests not authorized by the design team. These costs impact the profit of a project’s bottom line, so a project manager needs better control of the RFI process.

Project managers need 24/7 insight into a project of any size to complete it successfully. Here are some insights into project management of RFIs. This is an example of how good project management tools can make a difference.

Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) Tools

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries face many challenges. In particular, when managing a cross section of projects. From complex large projects to many smaller projects, technology can transform the design and delivery of them all.

Working across so many associated project, project managers face many challenges. This can include communicating across more than one multi-disciplinary team. A project manager can work with the architects, engineers and builders all at the same time. Then there is the challenge of tracking jobs costs, budgets, profit and loss margins, and understanding the project deliverables.

So how can AEC tools assist in keeping track of important project details?

Architecture, Engineering and Construction Tools

Good AEC project management tools will include reporting functionalities. Reports are vital to the whole process. Reports for profits, percentage compete, revenue per staff member, project profits and losses, and much more.

Good AEC tools have many report types built in. You will also be able to customize reports to look at the overall project performance and profitability. No longer is there any reason to be in the dark about a project’s performance.

If you are serious about enhancing project management using AEC tools, talk to the experts with the knowledge.

Project Management Resource and News Blog

Project Management Resource and News Blog

AEC project management and tracking solutions

AEC project management and tracking solutions



RaptorPM project management software is ideally suited for the AEC industries.  A secure, robust web based solution.

There are many challenges within the AEC industries for project managing from the large complex project to multiple smaller projects. These challenges faced by the project manager can include understanding the deliverables the project, budgets, costs, margins, job costing and multi-team communication.

RaptorPM project management solutions provides the tools so your projects don’t lose money. We give project teams the tools to deal with clients, Architects, Engineers, Consultants and QS firms.

Our project management software is ideally suited for the AEC industries.  A secure, robust web based solution, RaptorPM delivers a comprehensive and powerful set of project management tools to help project teams to plan and manage any number of projects. At RaptorPM we see project management as managing people’s activity around the core project details. This approach empowers project leaders to set measurable tasks, manage document flow and emails, co-ordinate project communication, and assign the right resources to the right job for the best set of outcomes.
Read more here. https://www.raptorpm.com/blog