Utilising legacy data for project risk identification, analysis and management

Existing research provides evidence that the construction industry is susceptible to risk. The HSE places Construction second, below agriculture, forestry and fishing in workplace injuries. The literature suggests that current practice regarding risk identification within the construction industry has a significant potential for subjectivity and that this constitutes a considerable shortcoming. To determine the extent to which this is the case, both Qualitative and Quantitative data collection in this research was undertaken over several phases, and detailed analysis, including the application of grounded theory, was applied in order to generate a well-rounded theory. These phases were interviews, questionnaires, observations and secondary data sources. The data sources were then analysed to understand the construction industry’s processes, attitudes and exposure to risk. The research process revealed that construction companies rely on intuition, judgement and experience to identify the risks to a significant extent, and also revealed some restraints within this situation. However the industry has available a potentially substantial pool of data in that captured by mobile devices (e.g. SnagR, 360 Field, and Field Supervisor), but does not make use of it to any great extent, with only 15% of all historical data being analysed coming from mobile applications. The proposal to overcome the above issue is the introduction of a new framework. This framework will undertake using this source of mobile captured legacy data to increase the portfolio of quality risk data that is available to project teams to assess risk more efficiently, and also to reduce the potential for subjectivity within the risk identification process. This was aimed to ensure that the use of historical mobile data is streamlined through a framework structure and that any amendments to the data structure are essential in improving the risk identification process. It was also intended that the new framework will aim to increase the participation of staff at all levels, in risk decision-making by project teams.

Proceedings © International Congress of Architectural Technology / Robert Gordon University 2018