Chacko, S. J.; Singh, D. P.; Ahuja, V. and Rai, R. S. (2026) Exploring the impact of critical risk interrelationships on design management outcomes in high-rise residential construction projects. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, pp. 1-23. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose – Through a mixed-method approach, this paper aims to analyse the causal relationships between critical risk factors impacting the design management process, to identify the more consequential risks affecting high-rise residential construction projects. Design/methodology/approach – A structured literature review identified the prevalent risks impacting construction projects. Through expert guidance, 32 risks pertaining to the project design outcomes were shortlisted and incorporated into a targeted questionnaire survey. Subsequently, the survey was distributed to key stakeholders in the construction industry to map their criticality perception towards each risk. Based on 175 responses, the data was analysed using both Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and interpretive structural modelling (ISM) to determine critical risk factors with greater influence. Findings – The findings classify the more consequential design-stage-related risk factors based on their criticality and influence. Latent but more dominant risks, if not managed effectively in the early stages, can generate secondary risk factors at successive stages, impacting the project. The more high-impact risks pertain to design management function areas related to establishing a shared project definition and in-building project quality. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited to high-rise residential projects within the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. Practical implications – The research outcomes will assist stakeholders in high-rise residential projects to formulate better risk management strategies towards their planning and delivery. Originality/value – This study augments existing knowledge on risks related to design management which impact qualitative objectives, especially relevant to complex project typologies like high-rise residential with multi-stakeholder expectations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project management; critical risk ranking; design management; failure mode and effects analysis; high-rise residential projects; interpretive structural modelling |
| Index terms: | construction industry, construction project management, literature review, project design, complex project, interpretive structural modelling, construction project, residential construction, residential project, design management, survey, questionnaire, strategy, failure mode and effects analysis, risk factor, design management process, India, methodology, risk management |
| Subjects: | environmental hazards, data analysis and analytics, strategic project management, Geography, project management theory and practice, data collection methods, design process, construction integration, organization, risk assessment, contractual arrangements, management, industry analysis, research methods, production management, reliability engineering, economic development |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Urban Studies, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Design Practice, Procurement, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Project Management, Risk Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here