Risk assessment in non-standard forms of civil engineering consulting services

Abstract

Although a large body of research exists on risk assessment in civil engineering projects and of owners, contractors, concessionaires and financiers of such projects, there is a lacuna in such research on engineering consultants, particularly those associated with non-standard forms of consulting services. This paper seeks to explore the genesis of the underlying risks in non-standard forms of engineering consulting services, systematically classify the risks, and develop a Risk Breakdown Structure and a generic Framework for efficient assessment of these risks, which is a prerequisite for sound risk management in the engineering consulting industry. The research adopts a mixed method approach, synthesising exploratory type multiple-case studies and questionnaire surveys, carried out in 14 engineering consulting firms having extensive experience in the delivery of non-standard consulting services. This paper provides empirical insights of the genetic makeup of risks associated with non-standard forms of consulting services. Such risks are found to be predominantly linked to design office based activities that underline the importance of design function in engineering consulting practice. Loss of reputation and/or goodwill is rated as the most severe potential impact on consultants. Proposed Risk Assessment Framework provides the engineering consulting industry with a functional tool for efficient risk management.

Keywords:

• engineering consulting services
• risk assessment
• project delivery methods
• case studies

Additional information

Notes on contributors

WM Sarath C Piyadasa

WM Sarath C PIYADASA. Doctoral student at the Department of Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. At present he is a Contract Specialist attached to a leading international consulting firm. He has extensive experience as a consulting engineer and in the management of consulting companies. He holds Master of Engineering in Construction Management degree from University of Moratuwa, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from University of Peradeniya and Bachelor of Laws from Open University of Sri Lanka. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers UK, Chartered Engineer and International Professional Engineer. His research interests include construction disputes, risk management and optimization of consultancy service delivery process.

Bonaventura H. W. Hadikusumo

Bonaventura H. W. HADIKUSUMO. An Associate Professor of Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management at the School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. He holds a PhD in Construction Management from the University of Hong Kong and Master of Engineering from Asian Institute of Technology. He has published extensively in international journals and authored book chapters. He is serving as a member of the Advisory Board of an international journal and reviewer of international journals. He is very active in teaching and conducting research in Project Management in Southeast Asia particularly in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. His research interests are management of construction organizations, project management and construction site safety.