Elaboration and application of a risk matrix for the design and execution of public works

In civil construction, spending on public works in Brazil is quite relevant, both because of the high amounts involved and their representativeness in the budget, and because of their allocation and use by society, requiring great attention to the topic. Given the importance of the subject, this study seeks to expand knowledge of the problems and causes that may hinder the success of the entire bidding process and execution of works, notably linked to the preparation of projects. In this context, an attempt was made to identify and analyse, using the risk matrix (probability and impact), the risk factors that could impact on the achievement of the Basic Project to be adopted for the contracting and execution of public works, so that with this minimize the need for reformulation or variants during the execution phases of works and engineering services. The study was applied face-to-face, through interviews, in a public authority, the executing body of urban infrastructure works, which generated 1750 records. The results obtained, through qualitative analysis, classified the 35 risk factors identified as low, moderate and high risk, thus allowing the visualization of the degree of severity of each risk, thus evidencing the importance that must be given to the project management for the execution of public works and how risk management can contribute to the desired results.