This thesis proposes a classification system of risk mitigation strategies based on literature search and industry interviews. Following that, a list of generic properties was generated to describe individual strategies. In parallel, populating the properties of a large number of identified strategies was attempted. The practical implications are discussed mainly focusing on knowledge management for risk mitigation strategies.

This thesis proposes a classification system of risk mitigation strategies based on literature search and industry interviews. Following that, a list of generic properties was generated to describe individual strategies. In parallel, populating the properties of a large number of identified strategies was attempted. The practical implications are discussed mainly focusing on knowledge management for risk mitigation strategies.

This thesis proposes a classification system of risk mitigation strategies based on literature search and industry interviews. Following that, a list of generic properties was generated to describe individual strategies. In parallel, populating the properties of a large number of identified strategies was attempted. The practical implications are discussed mainly focusing on knowledge management for risk mitigation strategies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Risk management is quite a broad and essential part of project management in construction projects. Often, risk management focuses on perceived risks that can easily be predicted and managed. However, little attention is given to novel risks or risks that are not possible to predict and are unforeseen. Construction projects face these risks repeatedly, and decisions made when they occur are filled with so many discrepancies. The covid-19 virus is an example of a novel virus that no one perceived, which surprised the construction industry. This master thesis explores how organisations in the construction industry in Zimbabwe managed risk related to covid-19 in construction projects and what impact the pandemic had on current risk management practices. This study is an exploratory case study, and semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data and answer the research questions. The study's findings highlight the major risks related to covid-19 that were faced in construction projects, the particular actions related to risk management that were taken to manage the risk and the impact of covid-19 on risk management frameworks for construction projects in Zimbabwe. Risks posed by the coronavirus to construction projects in Zimbabwe included operational risks, financial risks, productivity risks, supply chain risks, production delay risks and coronavirus infection risks. Mandatory guidelines and ISO procedures mainly influenced the actions taken to manage coronavirus related risks. Measures included introducing extra health safety measures on construction sites such as regular testing and screening and social distancing. Lastly, the impact on construction project risk management frameworks included changes to adapt to the new way of operating with covid-19. These changes include the increase in the budget allocation for novel risks and increased integration of technology in risk management. A small section of the study briefly discusses the Swedish context to capture insights into how the Swedish construction industry was affected by the covid-19 pandemic. Since Sweden did not go into lock down, it was interesting to reflect on how they were affected, and the actions taken to manage covid-19 related risks in that context. / Riskhantering är en ganska bred och väsentlig del av projektledning i byggprojekt. Ofta fokuserar riskhanteringen på upplevda risker som lätt kan förutsägas och hanteras. Men lite uppmärksamhet ägnas unika risker eller risker som inte är möjliga att förutse och är oförutsedda. Byggprojekt möter dessa risker upprepade gånger, och beslut som fattas när de inträffar är fyllda med så många avvikelser. Covid-19-viruset är ett exempel på ett unikt virus som ingen uppfattade, vilket överraskade byggindustrin. Denna masteruppsats undersöker hur organisationer inom byggindustrin i Zimbabwe hanterade risker relaterade till covid-19 i byggprojekt och vilken inverkan pandemin hade på nuvarande riskhanteringsmetoder. Denna studie är en utforskande fallstudie och semistrukturerade intervjuer användes för att samla in data och svara på forskningsfrågorna. Studiens resultat belyser de stora riskerna relaterade till covid-19 som stod inför i byggprojekt, de särskilda åtgärderna relaterade till riskhantering som vidtogs för att hantera risken och effekten av covid-19 på riskhanteringsramverk för byggprojekt i Zimbabwe. Risker som coronaviruset utgör för byggprojekt i Zimbabwe inkluderar operationella risker, finansiella risker, produktivitetrisker, risker kopplade till försörjningskedjan, produktionsföreningrisker och risk för coronavirusinfektion. Obligatoriska riktlinjer och ISO-procedurer påverkade huvudsakligen de åtgärder som vidtogs för att hantera risker relaterade till coronaviruset. Åtgärder omfattade att införa extra hälsosäkerhetsåtgärder på byggarbetsplatser som regelbundna tester och screening och social distansering. Slutligen, effekten på ramverk för riskhantering av byggprojekt inkluderade förändringar för att anpassa sig till det nya sättet att arbeta med covid-19. Dessa förändringar inkluderar ökningen av budgetanslaget för unika risker och ökad integrering av teknik i riskhanteringen. En liten del av studien diskuterar kort den svenska kontexten för att fånga insikter om hur den svenska byggindustrin påverkades av covid-19-pandemin. Eftersom Sverige inte gick in i lockdown var det intressant att reflektera över hur de påverkades och vilka åtgärder som vidtagits för att hantera covid-19 relaterade risker i det sammanhanget.