THE STEPS APPROACH - A REALISTIC METHOD TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT UNDERGROUND FACILITIES

The underground industry remains an important part of the construction industry, but suffers from numerous real and perceived problems. One of the most serious problems-the level of risk and uncertainty in scop e, schedule, and budget-is a dramatic example of hour real and perceiv ed issues can become blurred, and thereby inhibit the implementation o f good solutions. This paper defines some important ramifications of t he risk and uncertainty issues, further documenting hour they can adve rsely affect specfic projects and the industry in general. The causes of this partiular problem are listed in. sufficient detail to suggest possible avenues for constructive changes in our management of risk. O ne of the causes that gets discussed only reluctantly is the unwilling ness (for a variety of reasons) to FULLY discuss ALL sources of uncert ainty early in the project planning process. The paper also presents a general discussion of an approach to mitigate the adverse effects of uncertainty and risk using different assumed levels of client involvem ent, and flexibility. The STEPS Approach is very flexible, but require s a major shift in emphasis regarding the appropriate level and detail of coordination and communication for project participants. Key aspec ts of the approach are provided, along with a set of recommendations t hat will aid its implementation. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.