Risk assessment in a project life cycle of the urban water supply and sanitation authorities projects in Tanzania: a case study of Songea Urban Water Supply and Sanitation project phase II

The risk assessment in a Project life Cycle (PLC) aims to identify, understand and clearly manage risks in the project. This study used questionnaires and secondary data to assess the risk in the PLC of the Songea Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (SOUWASA). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse forty eight (48) questionnaires distributed to client, consultant, contractor, sub-contractor and stakeholders. The four components of the PLC such as construction indicated to have a major risk of about 73.3% followed by planning with 60%, conceptual with 33.4% and commissioning with 30%. The study indicated the major possible areas of the risk to occur within the PLC components were based on the operational level with 66.7% followed by a senior management level with 23.3% and stakeholders only 10%. The assessment of the impact of risks was analysed by using impact Risk Matrix based on the time, cost and scope. It indicated the financial factor has more impact than inflation risk, change of project scope, requirements and time of completion. Furthermore, the study established the Risk Management Framework (RMF) which will facilitate the identification of the risk. Therefore, the study concluded that risk identification could be enhanced through increasing knowledge of Risk Management and developing a framework that is integrated into business practice. Proactive approach and co-operation of all actors has a pivotal role in improving project performance.