Samarra Journal of Engineering Science and Research

This study examined the impact of excluded risks on
the cost and schedule performance of construction projects
in Samarra, a city affected by persistent security-related
challenges. A quantitative research approach was adopted
using a structured questionnaire distributed to 49 engineers
and construction experts from different engineering
disciplines. The collected data were analyzed using the
Relative Importance Index (RII) to evaluate excluded risks
in terms of likelihood of occurrence, impact on project cost,
and impact on project duration. The results indicated that
security-related risks, particularly those associated with war
conditions and civil disturbances, were perceived as the
most critical, with RII values exceeding 0.70 in several
cases. In contrast, risks related to partial occupation of
projects by the employer, contract-driven design
constraints, and nuclear-related considerations were
assessed as less significant, with RII values generally below
0.50. The findings also showed that contracts incorporating
proactive risk mitigation measures were perceived as more
effective in reducing cost overruns and schedule delays than
traditional insurance-based risk allocation approaches. The
study concluded that improving construction project
performance in security-dominant environments requires
preventive contractual strategies, locally adapted risk
management frameworks, and continuous professional
training for engineers and contractors.