Managing Uncertainty in the Construction Phase of Road Projects

Abstract

Construction projects are fraught with uncertainties. This chapter’s objective is to demonstrate how uncertainty is managed in the construction phase of road projects. Three aspects of uncertainty management in the construction phase are examined: people and organization, management process, and tools and techniques. The specific importance of the construction phase is based on the fast changes and complexity of this phase. A longitudinal study of seven Norwegian road projects is performed. The projects were all large in terms of cost, each with costs of more than $100 million. Researchers evaluated how uncertainty emerged during the construction phase and how major uncertainties were appraised step by step during construction. In addition, this study contributes to a new recognition of important factors, which influences risk and opportunity management in large road projects by introducing a suggested conceptual framework.