How can you demonstrate your experience with risk management in a Construction Manager interview?

Risk management is a crucial skill for any Construction Manager, as it involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential hazards and uncertainties that could affect the project's objectives, budget, schedule, quality, and safety. In a Construction Manager interview, you need to demonstrate your experience with risk management by providing specific examples, using relevant tools and methods, and showing how you communicate and collaborate with stakeholders. Here are some tips on how to do that.

1 Identify risks

One of the first steps in risk management is to identify the possible sources of risk that could affect your project. These could be internal or external, technical or non-technical, predictable or unpredictable. You need to show the interviewer that you have a systematic and proactive approach to identifying risks, using techniques such as brainstorming, checklists, SWOT analysis, or risk breakdown structure. You also need to explain how you prioritize and categorize the risks based on their likelihood and impact, using matrices or charts.

Add your perspective

Joseph Allison

Building Contractor @ JLove Building Construction | Project Management
Report contribution
Mention compliance and safety measures: Highlight your experience in ensuring compliance with safety regulations and best practices. Discuss how you integrated safety protocols into the risk management process to minimize accidents and adhere to legal requirements.

Like

2 Assess risks

Once you have identified the risks, you need to assess them in more detail, using quantitative or qualitative methods. Quantitative methods involve assigning numerical values to the probability and consequence of each risk, and calculating the expected value or the risk exposure. Qualitative methods involve using descriptive scales or ratings to evaluate the severity and urgency of each risk. You need to show the interviewer that you can use both types of methods, depending on the data and resources available, and that you can justify your assumptions and estimates.

Add your perspective

Derek Graham

Senior Scheduler/Estimator, Forensic Delay Analyst and Construction Defects Expert Witness
(edited)
Report contribution
In the pure sense of risk - risk workshops are held where risk registers are generated for input into risk assessment models - such as Monte Carlo. The results are then reviewed by the team to discern what - if any - actionable items. If you want to represent risk experience in your interview, you will have a working knowledge of these basic structures, and optimally have examples of previous risk assessments you were involved in. Finally, project specific risk knowledge shows your client that you understand the backbone and critical path of the project schedule, which will show the highest risk activities on the critical path. Few contractors understand risk assessment, therefore, there is lots of opportunity to show off what you know.

Like

3 Mitigate risks

The next step in risk management is to develop and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate the negative effects of the risks. These strategies could include avoiding, transferring, reducing, or accepting the risks, depending on the cost-benefit analysis. You need to show the interviewer that you can select and apply the most appropriate strategy for each risk, and that you can monitor and control the results. You also need to demonstrate that you can update and revise your risk management plan as the project progresses and new risks emerge.

Add your perspective

Amer Kamal

Civil Ingeniør / MBA / CEO SEEbuild Bygherre Rådgivning
Report contribution
It is possible to create a total risk free construction project digitally. Thats how you reduce the risk amount for the client and the constructor. There are no other way that are so precise.

Like

4 Communicate risks

Another important aspect of risk management is to communicate the risks and their mitigation strategies to the relevant stakeholders, such as clients, contractors, suppliers, regulators, or team members. You need to show the interviewer that you can use effective communication tools and techniques, such as reports, dashboards, meetings, or workshops, to inform and consult the stakeholders about the risk status, issues, and actions. You also need to show that you can solicit and incorporate feedback, suggestions, and concerns from the stakeholders, and that you can manage their expectations and satisfaction.

Add your perspective

5 Collaborate on risks

Finally, risk management is not a solo activity, but a collaborative one, that requires the involvement and coordination of various parties. You need to show the interviewer that you can work with others to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, and that you can leverage their expertise, experience, and perspectives. You also need to show that you can foster a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability among the stakeholders, and that you can resolve any conflicts or disputes that may arise from the risks.

Add your perspective

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Anne Okafor MCIOB

Igniting the passion for a world beyond the classroom as a Construction & STEM careers Cheerleader. Construction Planner | Maths Anxiety Crusader | Podcaster | Scotland | Ambassador | An Everyday Determinator!
Report contribution
Be clear that you know how you are responsible for safety in your role and clearly communicate examples of when you have contributed to safety in the past. Some roles aren't always on the front line with safety management but we all do play a part. Understand the part you play and why it matters in the bigger picture. Understanding accountability and responsibility of your role within the company wide safety landscape is very important and often missed especially by non-front line staff.

Like

How can you demonstrate your experience with risk management in a Construction Manager interview?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify risks

2 Assess risks

3 Mitigate risks

4 Communicate risks

5 Collaborate on risks

6 Here’s what else to consider

Construction Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Construction Management

More relevant reading

How can you demonstrate your experience with risk management in a Construction Manager interview?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify risks

2 Assess risks

3 Mitigate risks

4 Communicate risks

5 Collaborate on risks

6 Here’s what else to consider

Construction Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills