Mastering Risk Allocation & Subcontract Management in Construction Projects

18-19 Dec, 2025, Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

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Learn from the Best

Prof R Venkat
LLM (UK), B. Eng., C.Eng., FCIArb, FCMA,MRICS, PGDBA
Program Chair- LLM in Construction Law & Arbitration.
Professor of Practice-Law, Manipal Law School
Trainer, Consultant , Author and Expert
Co-founder, C Cubed Consultants Limited

 

Prof R Venkat is a well- respected and distinguished speaker/trainer having over 30 years of industry experience in the GCC/Asia region. His expertise includes heavy engineering, infrastructure, construction, marine and non-conventional energy sectors. He is one of the founding partners of ‘C Cubed Consultants’, a Contracts and Claims Management consultancy based in UAE. He advises Clients, Contractors on various aspects of contractual matters and helps them to resolve their disputes in an amicable and practical way.

 

Prof R Venkat has developed a unique Masters program (LLM) in Construction Law and Arbitration which is the first of its kind in Asia. This Masters program is available for both legal and engineering professionals. Having assumed additional responsibility as a professor of practice at Manipal Law School, Bengaluru, India, he has been conducting short-term and Post graduate level courses in Construction Law specialization in addition to the LLM program.
He has conducted over 100 training/workshops during the past three years based on various forms of contract including Project Delay, Claims Assessment, EPC, EPCIC, Avoidance Management, FIDIC and Turnkey Contracts. He has been invited by leading universities for guest lectures to construction law/management post graduate students and he also writes regularly in construction and arbitration journals.

 

He is a Chartered Engineer, Construction lawyer, Chartered QS and Fellow member of chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London. He is fully conversant with legal principles related to the construction of both common law and civil law jurisdictions.

He has been listed as an arbitrator at India, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and Hong Kong. He acts as an Expert Witness in construction arbitrations involving delay and quantum claims.

 

He is a co-founder of a contract life cycle management consultancy based in United Arab Emirates and advising contractors and clients on both pre and post contract related matters including dispute resolution.

 

WHAT YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE SAYING ABOUT THE COURSE LEADER…

The presentation deck presented was exceptionally comprehensive and easily understandable. The inclusion of
quizzes at the end of the session ensured a thorough understanding of the course – Zahidah Sahari, Senior Quantity Surveyor, SL&A Sdn Bhd

 

I am really impressed with your presentation, which I liked the most in today’s session and would be glad to have you as speaker for any such event. Ratan K. Singh, Senior Advocate & Arbitrator | Keating Chambers

 

Mr. Venkat is a good presenter and knowledgeable having good command over the subject - M Arshad

 

Truly enjoyed the time and friendly and comfortable environment - Faraz Qayyum

 

Simplified and clarified many issues and explained complex concepts - Dr Adnan Haidar

 

Good trainer, knows his subject and clearly lots of experience - R Collison

 

Very Good communication and sound knowledge of matters at hand - Patrick Carolan

 

Venkat was extremely knowledgeable and brought relevant, regional case studies to the discussion - Sonja Johnson, DHA, Dubai

 

Friendly, effective, Score given 10/10, Ms. Hamideh, Contract Expert, Mapna group, Iran.

 

Mr. Venkat was an exceptional presenter that showed in depth knowledge of EPC contracts. Score given 10/10, Mr.
Marthinus, Head of Legal, OilServ, UAE

 

Topics covered are appropriate to my position. Instructor was knowledgeable and encouraged extensive discussion which was beneficial. Mr. Andre, Commercial Director, Oil Serv, UAE


Venue Details

Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur
NO 1, JALAN PANTAI JAYA, TOWER 3, 59200 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA,
Phone : 03-2298 1888

https://wyndhamgrand bangsarkl.com.my/

Contact us

Juliany,
03 2283 6109
juliany@ipa.com.my

Phoebe,
03 2283 6100
phoebe@ipa.com.my 

FOR CUSTOMISED IN-HOUSE TRAINING
Jane,
03 2283 6101
Jane@ipa.com.my

ADDRESS 
A-28-5, 28th Floor, Menara UOA Bangsar, 
No.5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, 
59000 Kuala Lumpur
www.ipa.com.my

FOCUSING ON

PART A: RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS

Session 1: Risk Fundamentals in Construction
Session 2: Anatomy of Project Failure & Lessons Learned
Session 3: Risk Identification, Assessment & Tools
Session 4: Risk Mitigation, Control & Best Practices

PART B: SUBCONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Session 1: Principles & Legal Framework of Subcontracting
Session 2: Drafting & Negotiating Subcontracts
Session 3: Subcontract Administration & Performance Management
Session 4: Disputes, Claims & Commercial Awareness
PART A: RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Construction is a high-risk business where a single overlooked risk can transform expected profit into severe losses.
• Learn practical frameworks for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.
• Gain region-specific insights from Malaysian and ASEAN mega projects.
• Understand how risk allocation under contracts affects project delivery.
• Equip yourself with tools to anticipate disputes and avoid costly claims.
• Position yourself to be a trusted advisor in risk- sensitive projects.
PART B: SUBCONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Subcontractors execute nearly 80–90% of construction work packages, making subcontract management central to project success. Poorly managed subcontracts can lead to disputes, cash flow crises, and project delays.
This course will help you:
• Gain clarity on legal principles related to subcontracting provisions.
• Learn how to negotiate subcontract clauses to balance risks fairly.
• Improve your skills in administering subcontractors through documentation, monitoring, and payment systems.
• Enhance your role as a commercially
aware professional in today’s complex contracting environment.
AFTER ATTENDING THIS COURSE YOU WILL RETURN TO YOUR JOB…
  1. Understanding the inherent risks in construction projects and why they cannot be eliminated but must be managed.
  2. Applying structured tools and frameworks (risk registers, probability–impact analysis, mitigation strategies).
  3. Learning from global and ASEAN case studies of both project failures and success stories.
  4. Developing a proactive mindset for turning risks into opportunities.
  5. Understanding the principles and legal framework of subcontracting in construction projects.
  6. Identifying and negotiating key subcontract clauses including back-to-back obligations, indemnity, conditional payment, and set-off.
  7. Applying best practices in subcontract administration covering scope, quality, safety, cash flow, and documentation.
  8. Recognizing typical subcontract disputes and evaluating effective resolution mechanisms including arbitration, adjudication, and negotiation.
  9. Building commercial awareness to avoiding pitfalls and strengthening subcontractor–main contractor relationships.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course will benefit professionals across the construction and infrastructure sector, including:
• Employers / Owners and their Representatives
• Government Ministries & Project Agencies
• Developers & Project Funding Agencies
• Contractors and Subcontractors
• Architects, Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors
• Project Managers, Commercial Managers & Risk Officers
METHODOLOGY
  • Interactive Lectures
  • Malaysia Specific Case Studies
  • Quiz
  • Group Exercises
  • Role Play Exercises
  • Interactive Format with ample time for Q & A
DAY 1
 

DAY 1: RISK MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS


9:00

SESSION 1: RISK FUNDAMENTALS IN CONSTRUCTION

  • Nature of risk in construction: unavoidable but manageable
  • Types of risks (design, construction, coordination, force majeure)
  • Essential features of construction projects and why they are inherently risky
  • Lessons from global studies and Indian/ ASEAN context
10.45

SESSION 2: ANATOMY OF PROJECT FAILURE & LESSONS LEARNED

  • Why mega projects fail: optimism bias, poor leadership, inadequate planning
  • Case study deep dive: The French Panama Canal project (technical, financial,
    environmental, and leadership failures)
  • Group exercise: Identify at least 5 risk management takeaways from the Panama case
1:00 Lunch
2:00

SESSION 3: RISK IDENTIFICATION,
ASSESSMENT & TOOLS

  • Six simple questions of risk process (David Hillson framework)
  • Probability × Impact = Risk rating model
  • Risk appetite, tolerance, threshold
  • Risk register (structure, live updating, visual risk matrix)
  • Exercise: Participants draft a mini risk
    register for a sample project

Case Study: Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia)

3:45

SESSION 4: RISK MITIGATION, CONTROL & BEST PRACTICES

  • Risk responses: avoidance, transfer,
    retention, sharing
  • Role of subcontracting and insurance in risk transfer
  • Practical tips (Top 10 best practices)
  • International standards and guidelines (PMBOK, BS6079, PRAM, RAMP, DoD Guide)
  • Use of new technologies (BIM, drones, prefabrication) for risk reduction
  • Interactive debate: “Is risk transfer always better than risk retention?”
5:00 End of Day 1
DAY 2
 

DAY 2: SUBCONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

9:00

SESSION 1: PRINCIPLES & LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF SUBCONTRACTING

  • Role of subcontractors in construction projects
  • Domestic vs nominated vs named subcontractors
  • Privity of contract & FIDIC Red Book Clause 4.4
  • Why subcontracting is critical in modern projects
10.45

SESSION 2: DRAFTING & NEGOTIATING SUBCONTRACTS

  • Key clauses: back-to-back, indemnity, conditional payment, set-off
  • Risk transfer through subcontracting
  • UAE and common law perspectives on conditional payment clauses
  • Negotiation strategies for fair subcontract terms
1:00 Lunch
2:00

SESSION 3: SUBCONTRACT ADMINISTRATION & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

  • Managing scope, obligations, and supervision
  • Documentation: notices, RFIs, variations, and claims
  • Health & Safety, quality control, and certification procedures
  • Managing labour-only vs turnkey subcontractors
3:45

SESSION 4: DISPUTES, CLAIMS & COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

  • Variations vs claims (FIDIC Clauses 13 & 20)
  • Delay and disruption issues at subcontract level
  • Claim preparation, persuasive writing, and negotiation
  • Dispute resolution: arbitration, mediation, litigation
  • Recommendations for effective subcontract management
5:00 End of Course