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Project Risk Management in Construction: A Crucial Component for Successful School Projects

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Robert Gould

Partner at Barker | Award-Winning Integrated Property Consultants

Construction in the education sector presents a unique set of challenges and risks. For example, school projects can be more complex than housing and residential projects due to the specific needs and standards required in the education sector. Regardless of the type of project, whether it involves campus expansions, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) facilities or the integration of sustainable solutions, effective risk management is crucial for successfully completing work. 

 

Effective risk management in school construction not only reduces the likelihood of potential setbacks but also ensures that every aspect of the project aligns with the stringent requirements unique to educational institutions. From comprehensive site evaluations to detailed cost estimates, working with project risk management consultants offers several advantages. Below, we have explored why a strategic risk management plan is essential for navigating school construction projects. 

 

What is Risk Management in Construction?

 

Risk management in construction refers to identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring any potential risks that could affect the success of a project. Managing risks is essential regardless of the size or complexity of a project, and it ensures that work is completed on time, within budget and to the required standards. This is particularly important in the education sector where resources are limited and projects often involve substantial financial investments, strict timelines and safeguarding requirements.

 

Common Risks in School Construction Projects

 

Typically, school construction projects encounter similar risks that can significantly impact both the quality and timeline of the construction process. Some common risks include; 

 

  • Safety Risks – Construction sites are dangerous, with various hazards. When work is being carried out on school grounds, effective risk management is essential not just to protect workers, but keep staff and students safe. This is especially important if construction is taking place during the school day. 

 

  • Budget Overruns – Many educational institutions rely on funding streams to make improvements and staying on budget is crucial. Unfortunately, unexpected changes in project scope or increases in procurement costs can result in financial strains, affecting the overall project execution.

 

  • Delays – More often than not, schools have very strict deadlines, typically requiring work to be completed during weekends, half-terms or summer holidays. Varied issues such as delays in obtaining planning permission, supply chain disruptions or adverse weather conditions can disrupt project schedules and extend timelines. 

 

  • Compliance Issues – School construction projects need to meet stringent regulations and this can cause challenges. Non-compliance can result in delays, reworks or even scrapped projects. This affects proposed timelines, increases project costs and can even make original goals unachievable. 

 

Although these risks are all common, they still require thorough assessment and strategic management to ensure school projects remain on track. Working with education experts who know the ins and outs of managing construction projects in this particular sector can make a huge difference to the final outcome. 

 

The Project Risk Management Process

 

The risk management process involves several key steps; identifying potential risks, assessing their likelihood and impact, developing strategies to mitigate risks, and continuously monitoring and adjusting strategies throughout the project lifecycle. Effective risk management ensures all potential challenges are addressed, minimising disruptions and ensuring projects are completed to the highest standard.

Project Risk Management in Construction

Often the risk management process only starts when the construction works are due to commence and focusses on health and safety. Instead, risk management should form part of the overall project management process and be initiated at the early stages of project feasibility, picking up issues relating to budget, programme, scope and deliverability. 

 

 

  • Identifying Risks

 

The first step of the risk management process in school construction is to identify all possible risks that could impact the project’s outcome. This involves creating a comprehensive list of potential risks, including financial uncertainties like budget overruns, operational setbacks such as delays and labour issues, and regulatory compliance demands. Techniques like brainstorming sessions and analysing historical data can be invaluable for identifying risks. The involvement of stakeholders is vital at this stage too, as their insights and perspectives can help uncover a wide range of potential risks, ensuring nothing significant is overlooked.

 

 

  • Assessing Risks

 

Once project risks have been identified, they need to be assessed to determine their likelihood and the extent of their potential impact. This step helps prioritise risks, identifying those that require immediate action or the most resources and those that can be addressed at a later stage in the project or simply monitored over time. Risk analysis can be qualitative, using the expertise and experience of project managers, or quantitative, using gathered data to estimate the probability and consequences of each risk.

 

 

  • Mitigating Risks

 

After assessing the risks, the next step is to develop effective strategies to manage them. This involves deciding whether to avoid, transfer, mitigate or accept each risk. Avoiding risks means changing the project plan to remove potential problems entirely. Transferring risks involves shifting the risk to a third party, such as investing in insurance policies. Mitigating risks is taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood or impact of the risk. Accepting risks means doing nothing at all, often because the cost of mitigation is higher than the potential impact. Incorporating strategies like extra safety protocols, financial safety nets and more compliance checks into the project management process is essential to mitigate common risks found in school construction.

 

 

  • Monitoring Risks

 

The final step in the risk management process is the continuous monitoring of identified risks throughout the project. This ongoing process is crucial to ensure that risk management strategies are effective and it allows for adjustments in response to changing conditions or unforeseen challenges. Common monitoring tools include regular project review meetings, updates to project risk assessments and performance tracking against the project plans. This step is one of the most important as it helps maintain control over construction, ensuring everything stays on track regardless of any issues that may arise. 

 

Working With Project Risk Management Consultants

 

Robust risk management is key to the success of school construction projects, regardless of whether they are considered high-risk. Each step of the risk management process plays an important role in protecting a project against potential problems and ensuring it meets your goals and expectations, both on time and within budget. 

 

Working with experienced project risk management consultants can significantly increase the effectiveness of your risk management strategies. These professionals have a wealth of knowledge and experience, enabling them to anticipate, evaluate and mitigate risks effectively. By creating a tailored risk management plan for your school project, they can be both reactive and proactive, predicting and solving issues before they become problematic.

 

At Barker, our end-to-end project management services include risk management and we understand the unique challenges of working on live education sites. With many years of experience and an innovative approach, we ensure the success of your project. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can support you with project risk management. 

 

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