The identification of uncertainty and risk associated with inadequate site investigation procedures relative to project complexity

This paper is part of a global research aimed at developing a system that could be used in practice to objectively measure the level of risk associated with an inadequate site investigation. The work described in this paper has developed a Project and Site Investigation Information Evaluation Program (PSIIEP), designed to evaluate and place an index of relative importance upon both project complexity and risk associated with inadequate site investigation information. Despite the wealth of knowledge available from leading 'expert' sources that provide guidelines for site investigation procedure, this research indicates that over 56% of construction contracts reported major difficulties when carrying out sub-structure works, solely as a result of inadequate site investigation (SI) information. This research has identified the factors that brought about discrepancies that led to project uncertainty and risk in SI survey data. The developed PSIIEP utilizes these findings to evaluate project and site data and deliver a concise appraisal of risk associated with uncertain site investigative information. The research has been based on data and information collected using 1,000 questionnaires sent to construction practitioners. The work used logic through a grounded theory methodology supported by 36 case studies from a selection of construction projects in the UK.