Assessment of Project Risk Management Practice in The Case Of Jimma University Projects

Abstract

Risk management is understood as a significant practice in order to accomplish better construction projects successfully. Success in construction project is witnessed partly by its practical risk management performance in terms of project time, cost, quality, client satisfaction and safety among other things. In this south west Ethiopia Jimma University is known for its investment in construction projects. Therefore the study attempts to assess risk management practice of Jimma University Projects. The research type used in this study was sequential mixed method design. The researcher started by collecting a quantitative data and then collected a qualitative data for further explorations and confirmations. Four Jimma University ongoing construction projects were purposefully selected. All professional workers (80) in the four sites were selected and filed a questionnaire. Client, consultant, and contractors purposefully selected and interviewed. Microsoft Excel was used to organize and analyze the data collected. And, then integrated with the interview data, based on thematic category set in line with the specific research objectives. According to the results of the study, there is no clearly defined risk management method and procedure used in the construction projects of the university; but, responding to problems as they occur. Besides, there is a limitation in identifying risks early and including into the project plan. There is also less coordination among client, consultant and contractors to mitigate risk. The key actors of the construction projects were also not handling the human, material and financial risks that impact progress. As a result though there might be other factors, the four construction projects considered in this study were in a delay status and facing the problem of risk of cost overrun. Therefore, the construction projects of the university are better implemented based on basic risk management methods and make risk identification and mitigation its core activity. In other words, specific risk management methods such as, risk identification, assessment, analysis and mitigation should be performed before the start of the constructions. These should also be overtly included in to the overall plan documents of the specific projects together with clearly defined expected risk factors and the how of talking them.