**2. Construction risks management: literature search**

In the construction industry, risk management involves identifying and assessing unforeseen occurrences that may arise during project construction. The aim is to use

#### *Perspective Chapter: Recent Advancements in the Management of Construction Risks DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112849*

tactics and procedures to minimise the identified risks to a manageable level to ensure project success. Risk management takes different forms depending on the situation, and it is a detailed and rational approach to defining, evaluating, and addressing risks in construction projects to achieve the project objectives [14]. Risk management is a methodical process that focuses on recognising, evaluating, and responding to the identified. The management of construction risks has traditionally centred on financial, project performance, productivity, and time aspects [15–18]. However, managing construction risks is a critical issue that requires attention as it relates to all events that can potentially impact the outcome and success of projects [19]. Thus, it should not be limited to financial or project performance, productivity, and time aspects. A well-planned project ensures an effective risk management [19]. This ensures that the project runs smoothly from the initial stages throughout its execution stage.

Furthermore, construction sites are prone to development and instability, resulting in hazardous environments and complex projects, which can lead to complications in projects operations. Therefore, it is necessary to identify all possible risks to minimise damage. While each project is unique, effective risk management during the conceptualization, execution, and evaluation phases is crucial. This highlights the importance of risk management throughout the entire project process. To ensure project success, measures must be taken to identify risks and implement effective risk management strategies [15]. Monitoring and adapting to changing circumstances is also crucial. Only then can strategies be developed to minimise risks and achieve project success.

The following sections discuss some of the techniques adopted in the reviewed literature to identify construction risks, including additional approaches identified from the results of the review, and then discussions on unsafe site practices on construction sites.

#### **2.1 Identification of construction risks**

Identifying the sources of risk is a crucial step and is considered the first and most important in risk management process [19], but this process can only be performed on identified [5]. This allows all project parties to pinpoint specific instances of risks, assess their potential impact, and analyse them to develop appropriate measures for mitigating their effects. An unidentified risk cannot be managed. A comprehensive risk identification process ensures an effective risk management process [20]. Equally, the identification of risks can reveal possible opportunities from the identified risks. However, project executors often concentrate more on the identification and management of the negative risks and overlook the positive aspect/opportunities that could be derived from the identified risks [21]. Identification of risks is a continuous process, that often require rigorous tasks and constant monitoring throughout the project life cycle because existing risks may cease to exist, and new risks emerged [2].

Many sources suggest that trying to identify every possible risk in a construction project is a difficult task and can have negative effects [22, 23]. Instead, it is recommended to focus on the most common and impactful risks. Identifying risks is an ongoing process throughout the project's lifespan, and it requires input from all stakeholders, including external risk management experts [2]. Researchers believe that involving stakeholders can instil a sense of responsibility for the risks identified in the project, encouraging them to take ownership and develop effective strategies for eliminating or mitigating the identified risks. Furthermore, external stakeholders and experts can offer valuable information, such as standard risk checklists, risks

identified from previous project, risk structures and registers. This information can aid in identifying risks and contribute to the success of the project.

The literature highlights different methods for identifying risks, such as the SWOT analysis approach (strengths, opportunity, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) [24–26], information-gathering [20, 27, 28], document reviews [20, 27, 29, 30], risk workshops (Top-Down method) [31, 32], interviewing (Top-Down method) [20, 33, 34], identification based on possible risks scenarios (Top-Down or Bottom-Up) [35, 36], identification based on the root cause of the risk [37, 38], and surveys or questionnaire (Bottom-Up) [28, 39]. **Table 1** below provides additional information about the different approaches for identifying risks and **Figure 1** depicts the visual representations of the procedures for identifying construction risks.

