A risk management model for minimizing cost overruns in interior fit-out projects: Literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33021/jaaf.v9i2.6422Keywords:
interior fit-out, cost overruns, risk management, design change, procurement risk, ISO 31000Abstract
Cost overruns remain a persistent problem in interior fit-out projects due to high levels of design customization, compressed delivery schedules, and intensive coordination among multiple trades. Although construction risk management frameworks such as ISO 31000 and the PMBOK Guide provide general guidance, they are largely generic and do not fully address the operational characteristics of interior fit-out delivery, particularly under fast-track conditions. This study aims to develop a conceptual risk management model for minimizing cost overruns in interior fit-out projects through a systematic synthesis of existing literature. The research adopts a qualitative exploratory approach based on a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles, international standards, and authoritative construction management sources published between 2010 and 2025. A thematic content analysis was conducted to identify recurring risk drivers, cost escalation mechanisms, and mitigation strategies relevant to interior fit-out projects. The study does not involve empirical project testing; instead, it consolidates patterns reported across multiple independent studies to construct a theoretically grounded framework. The findings indicate that cost overruns in interior fit-out projects are primarily driven by five interrelated risk domains: design and scope volatility, procurement and supply-chain constraints, financial and budgeting weaknesses, coordination and management deficiencies, and external contextual factors such as regulatory changes and economic instability. These domains influence multiple cost dimensions, including rework and variation costs, procurement escalation, delay-related overheads, and compliance-related expenditures. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes a fit-out–oriented risk management framework emphasizing early design stabilization, proactive procurement planning, structured cost buffering, agile coordination mechanisms, and adaptive contingency management. The study contributes by integrating fragmented risk management knowledge into a coherent conceptual model tailored to interior fit-out project delivery and provides a foundation for future empirical validation.
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