Understanding Red Flags
Definition: A red flag is a warning sign that a project may be at risk of delay, overspending, or other challenges. These indicators do not prove wrongdoing, but they show where closer review may be needed..
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for informational purposes only. The presence of a red flag does not automatically imply illegal activity or corruption. All findings should be independently verified.
Overview of Color Categorization
- Green: No red flags detected.
- Yellow: 1 to 5 red flags.
- Orange: 6 to 10 red flags.
- Red: More than 10 red flags.
Flag Catalogue
Abandonment of project
How it's Detected
The project is either cancelled or is in the implementation phase and has not been updated in over 6 months. Please contact malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org to report any suspected cases of project abandonment. Your report helps ensure that the project's status is accurately reflected and can trigger further investigation.Change of scope
How it's Detected
What's being contracted changed from original plan. While there are circumstances in which changes may be legitimate, there are also circumstances where this may indicate collusion.Cost overruns
How it's Detected
Project costs or final amount is more than 10% more than the original budget amountEnvironmental violations
How it's Detected
Projects that may be causing environmental damage or failing to comply with established environmental laws and safeguards. This could include issues like water or soil contamination, destruction of natural habitats, improper waste management, improper disposal of construction by-products, etc. Please contact malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org to report any suspected cases of environmental violations. Your report is crucial for protecting our natural resources and can help trigger an official investigation by the relevant authorities.Lack of cost benefit analysis
How it's Detected
No documentation of the economic cost-benefit analysis carried out for the project.Lack of environmental impact assessment
How it's Detected
No environmental impact assessment has been conducted, or no documentation of assessments of the environmental impacts (e.g. impacts on flora, fauna & woodlands, areas of natural beauty, carbon emissions etc.) and mitigation measures (e.g. pollution control, low carbon solutions, sustainable timber etc.) for the contracting process or project.Lack of maintenance plans
How it's Detected
Check for availability of maintenance plansLack of social Impact assessment
How it's Detected
No documentation of assessments of the intended and unintended social consequences of this project, and documentation of mitigation measures for those social consequences. Social impacts are changes that affect people, directly or indirectly (e.g. changes to people's way of life, culture, community, health and well-being etc.).Lack of supporting feasibility study
How it's Detected
No documentation of feasibility studies carried out for this project, providing information on net benefits or costs of the proposed works or services. Project implemented without any practicality or viability, may mean the project was rushed to have it implemented to harbour certain processes or expenses.Limited competition
How it's Detected
Too few companies bid for the work, or direct procurement takes place, which may indicate limited competition or value for moneyPolitical interference
How it's Detected
Public reports of undue influence on project decisions.Please submit reports of procedural deviations or suspected undue influence to malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org with specific details and any available evidence.Project delays
How it's Detected
Project takes longer than plannedPublic consultation meetings not held
How it's Detected
Projects where fewer than two public consultation meetings have been recorded.Under-utilization of project
How it's Detected
A completed project that is consistently empty or not being used by the public. Please contact malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org to report a completed project in your area that appears to be under-utilized. Your observation is the first step in verifying the project's effectiveness.Unrealistic budgets
How it's Detected
The project budget is greater than 1 trillion MWK or there is no documented budget for a project that has already entered the implementation phase.Unrealistic timelines
How it's Detected
The project timeline is unrealistic in proportion to its budget, indicated by a budget exceeding 10 billion MWK for a duration of less than one year.Use of substandard materials
How it's Detected
Public reports of poor quality building materials, or visible material failure such as significant cracks in foundations, walls, or pavement, premature or excessive rusting of steel components, or rapid crumbling or deterioration of surfaces, indicating that a project may be unsafe or not durable. Please contact malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org to report any suspected cases of substandard materials by describing the visible defects you have observed. Your report provides crucial evidence for triggering a formal, on-site quality inspection.Worker welfare and Social violations
How it's Detected
Projects with potential violations of worker welfare or community safety. This can range from a lack of transparency about labor rights to on-site accidents and fatalities, indicating risks of worker exploitation or unsafe conditions. Please contact malawi@infrastructuretransparency.org to report any suspected cases of Worker welfare or Social Violations. Your report can help trigger further investigation.Our methodology combines automated data analysis with community-driven reporting. We process large datasets from public records to identify patterns and anomalies that match predefined risk indicators. These automated flags are then supplemented by verified reports from citizens and watchdog groups.
What You Can Do
Civic engagement is crucial for transparency and accountability. If you encounter an issue or have evidence related to a potential red flag, you can help by reporting it.
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