Abstract

AbstractIn this study, an innovative risk management model for the design process of power tunnels projects is presented. Experts who have experience in mega dam projects and working in owner administration or consultant companies were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed and ranked. Impacts of the identified risks on cost and time of the project are separately determined. These separations are of the novelty of this current study. This leads to identify disagreements between the two parties, remove bias from the study, and also render a better perspective for impact types of the risks. Based on the opinions of consultant-experienced experts, the risk “delays due to making new decisions by owners” and the risk “poor documentation” were identified as the most critical risks affecting time and cost of the projects, respectively. On the other hand, owner-experienced experts found the risk “change of design due to inaccessibility of proper turbine sets” as the most important risk. The results showed that the most critical risks can be mitigated and/or avoided through resolving the bureaucracy to receive permission to purchase appropriate turbine sets and equipment for power plants and establishing systematic documentation units in both owner and consultant administrations.