A method for the ontology-based risk management of PPP construction projects

Abstract

Purpose With the increasing complexity of public–private partnership (PPP) projects, the amount of data generated during the construction process is massive. This paper aims to develop a new information management method to cope with the risk problems involved in dealing with such data, based on domain ontologies of the construction industry, to help manage PPP risks, share and reuse risk knowledge. Design/methodology/approach Risk knowledge concepts are acquired and summarized through PPP failure cases and an extensive literature review to establish a domain framework for risk knowledge using ontology technology to help manage PPP risks. Findings The results indicate that the risk ontology is capable of capturing key concepts and relationships involved in managing PPP risks and can be used to facilitate knowledge reuse and storage beneficial to risk management. Research limitations/implications The classes in the risk knowledge ontology model constructed in this research do not yet cover all the information in PPP project risks and need to be further extended. Moreover, only the framework and basic methods needed are developed, while the construction of a working ontology model and the relationship between implicit and explicit knowledge is a complicated process that requires repeated modifications and evaluations before it can be implemented. Practical implications The ontology provides a basis for turning PPP risk information into risk knowledge to allow the effective sharing and communication of project risks between different project stakeholders. It can also have the potential to help reduce the dependence on subjectivity by mining, using and storing tacit knowledge in the risk management process. Originality/value The apparent suitability of the nine classes of PPP risk knowledge (project model, risk type, risk occurrence stage, risk source, risk consequence, risk likelihood, risk carrier, risk management measures and risk case) is identified, and the proposed construction method and steps for a complete domain ontology for PPP risk management are unique. A combination of criteria- and task-based evaluations is also developed for assessing the PPP risk ontology for the first time.

Riesgo: A Knowledge-Based Qualitative Risk Assessment System for PPP Projects

“…Academic studies often employ quantitative or semiquantitative methodologies for PPP risk assessment. Qualitative risk assessment, the sector's predominant preference (World Bank, 2017) [15], remains underexplored, causing a low level of applicability of academic studies and indicating a noticeable research gap (Rasheed et al, 2022;Jiang et al, 2023) [23,24]. On the other hand, tools used in practice encompass both qualitative and quantitative methods, yet none have been tailored to meet the needs of PPP projects.…”

“…Fills the Gap in the PPP Sector for a Qualitative Risk Assessment Tool Despite the proliferation of approaches for quantitatively assessing risks in PPPs (Rasheed et al 2022) [23], there is a significant gap in the literature and sector concerning qualitative risk assessment for PPPs. The absence of a dedicated tool in the sector for qualitative risk assessment highlights a notable void in managing risk information in PPPs (Jiang et al, 2023) [24], which Riesgo has the potential to fill, thereby enhancing the overall risk assessment process in PPPs. The inadequacies of risk assessments, characterized by suboptimal in-house solutions like Excel sheet-based matrices/registers, can be circumvented through the adoption of a tailored and adaptable solution designed specifically for PPPs, exemplified by the case of Riesgo.…”

“…As the result of their systematic literature review, Rasheed et al (2022) [23] stated that despite the proliferation of quantitative risk management models in the PPP literature, qualitative methods are preferred in practice, and that the development of practical knowledge-based models that can guide users through the PPP risk assessment process is essential to overcome this problem. Jiang et al (2023) [24] also underlined the need for adequate information management for the assessment of PPP risks. The main shortcomings in PPP risk assessment identified as a result of the presented review include (1) the current tools utilize very limited information and lack customization, (2) the complexity of the existing risk assessment models lack a knowledge base and practical guidance, and (3) academic studies are mainly grounded in quantitative or semi-quantitative approaches, despite the sector's needs for qualitative tools.…”

Developing a model of work duration under the influence of risk events in the implementation of life cycle contracts for large energy construction projects

“…Monitoring of the problem (Gharaee et al, 2019;Strasser et al, 2021) demonstrates that participants in PPP projects cite as the most critical problems violations of deadlines for the design and construction of infrastructure facilities, as well as the actual cost of works exceeding the planned ones (Ahmad et al, 2019;Hameed et al, 2018;Jiang et al, 2022;Zimmermann and Eber, 2014).…”

Developing a Tool for PBO Design and Analysis: An Integration Between Enterprise Architecture and Project Management domains

“…METHONTOLOGY has gained recognition for its outstanding approach and widespread popularity (Aminu et al 2020). Additionally, it is known for providing an appropriate level of detail in ontology development (Jiang et al 2022) and is considered highly mature in terms of its application (López 1999).…”