Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

A systematic review of emerging digital technologies in construction

project management
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Submitted by: Zahid Mehmood Heriot Watt id:

Table of Content

RESEARCH PROPOSAL........................................................................................................................2
Research Title..........................................................................................................................................3
Background or Rationale.........................................................................................................................4
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................4
Background.........................................................................................................................................4
Importance of Construction Project Management................................................................................5
Problems in the Management of Construction Projects.......................................................................6
Research Significance..........................................................................................................................7
Overall aim..............................................................................................................................................9
Subsidiary Objectives..............................................................................................................................9
Methodology...........................................................................................................................................9
Expected Outcomes...............................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................10
References.............................................................................................................................................11
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

Research Title A systematic review of emerging digital

technologies in construction project

management

Background or Introduction

Rationale In recent years, the building industry has undergone a significant

transformation due to the advent of novel digital technology. The
implementation of these novel advancements has brought about a
significant transformation in the management, structure, and
orientation of construction endeavors. In contemporary times,
digital technologies have surfaced as powerful instruments for
enhancing construction project management in the areas of
productivity, efficiency, and collaboration. These technologies
include Building Information Modeling (BIM), Blockchain
technology, and Digital Twins.
In order to fully comprehend the potential and influence of digital
technologies in construction project management, it is imperative
to conduct a thorough examination of both current and upcoming
advancements in the field. The implementation of diverse digital
technologies in construction projects has been observed. The
objective of this analysis is to comprehensively evaluate these
technologies, encompassing their advantages, drawbacks, and the
challenges linked to their adoption (Chen, 2022).
The principal objective of this investigation is to conduct a
comprehensive examination and evaluation of the extant literature
and research pertaining to the utilization of digital technology in
the administration of construction projects. The present
systematic review aims to elucidate the current state of digital
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

technology integration, identify nascent patterns, and highlight

potential areas for future research (Manzoor, 2021).
Background
The construction industry has experienced suboptimal outcomes
due to factors such as cost overruns, failure to meet deadlines, and
inadequate communication. The stakeholders operating within the
construction industry have acknowledged the necessity for novel
approaches and have progressively resorted to digital
technologies to tackle these challenges and enhance the results of
their projects.
Digital technology encompasses a wide range of applications,
including but not limited to project management software, mobile
applications, sensor-based monitoring systems, and virtual reality
simulations. These innovations have made it possible to collect
data in real time, enhance communication and collaboration,
facilitate intelligent decision-making, and foster greater
transparency in project management (Newman, 2021).
The increasing importance of digital technologies in the realm of
construction project management necessitates a thorough analysis
and assessment of the current corpus of knowledge in order to
enhance comprehension of the present state of affairs, identify
areas of deficiency, and determine potential avenues for
subsequent investigation (Kiu, 2022).

Importance of Construction Project Management

The implementation of efficient construction project

management practises can yield advantages for business
proprietors, as it enhances the probability of timely and budget-
friendly completion of construction projects, while also
mitigating the risk of financial or legal complications.
Construction management is a specialised area within the broader
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

field of project management, which is concerned with the

supervision and coordination of various activities involved in
the conceptualisation, planning, and implementation of a
construction project, including the design, planning, and
execution stages. As project oversight services undergo
development over a period of time, the field of construction
management endeavours to optimise the utilisation of industry-
leading methodologies, prudent managerial decision-making, and
streamlined approaches to overseeing and communicating project
advancement. According to Sears (2015).
Effective construction management is essential for large-scale
projects to prevent substantial expenses and time overruns. The
construction manager conducts a comprehensive evaluation of
design choices to ascertain their effect on both the schedule and
budget. The absence of a proficient construction management
team may result in the inability to address an unexpected
problem, ultimately leading to the failure of the project. The
timely engagement of the site manager can result in cost and time
savings, as well as facilitate proactive measures to address
potential challenges. Effective project management is essential to
ensure timely project completion, adherence to budget
constraints, and high-quality outcomes. Inadequate management
methodologies have led to the failure of multiple construction
ventures, leading to substantial economic and societal detriments
(Barnes, 1988).
The achievement of project success is influenced by a range of
factors, including but not limited to financial and economic
considerations, contract administration, cost prediction, and
supply chain management. The timely delivery of the project is
contingent upon several theories and practises that are integral to
the core operations. The large-scale
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

construction endeavour presents gainful employment prospects

for a multitude of labourers, and additionally holds significance in
bolstering both the local and international commercial centre.
Problems in the Management of Construction Projects
The failure of construction projects can be attributed to various
factors, such as cost overruns, delays, inadequate adoption of
innovative technologies, communication gaps, scarcity of labour,
suboptimal planning, forecasting, and budgeting,
deficient organisational structure, inefficient document
management, cash flow issues, insufficient project visibility,
scope creep, and impractical expectations (Toor, 2008; Banaitiene
2012).
The analysis of prior scholarly literature reveals that a significant
portion of the research recommends strategies, frameworks, and
approaches for effective project management. However, there is a
dearth of empirical support for the methodologies that are best
suited for construction projects, which are characterised by
intricate complexities and a heightened emphasis on sustainable
construction. Given the constantly evolving nature of the
construction industry and its emphasis on emerging concepts such
as sustainability, lean construction, and other contemporary
challenges, it is imperative to reassess current knowledge
pertaining to project management practises, theories, and
methodologies that are pertinent to the future of sustainable
construction projects.

Research Significance

This study is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding

of the fundamental principles of construction project
management. The study will offer a unique perspective on both
effective and ineffective practises and strategies employed in
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

successful and unsuccessful projects, respectively.

This will offer an understanding of the achievements and
limitations of current construction and project management
methodologies. To ensure the success of future construction
management projects, it is imperative to take into account all the
necessary actions and precautions throughout the project life
cycle, spanning from initiation to completion.
The objective of this research proposal is to conduct
an enquiry into the principal digital technologies utilised in the
management of construction projects. This
research endeavour aims to investigate the effects of cost
overruns and time delays on project outcomes. The findings of
this study will contribute to the current body of knowledge on
effective project management strategies, theories, and
methodologies and will also facilitate the implementation of
sustainable management practises in the construction industry.
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

Overall aim The aim of this systematic investigation is to provide a thorough

analysis of contemporary and prospective implementations of
digital technologies for the management of construction projects.
Subsidiary Objectives  To examine the potential of digital tools to improve
project performance and identify their limitations.
 To examine the challenges that have been faced in the
utilization of digital technologies within the context of
construction projects.
 To provide instances of successful and unsuccessful
implementation of digital tools in the management of
construction projects.
 To propose potential avenues for the advancement of
digital technology in the realm of construction project
management.
Methodology The study will employ a qualitative secondary research
methodology to investigate information pertaining to
the practises, theories, and methodologies of project management
within the construction industry. The utilisation of a literature
review comprising relevant literature is a suitable approach for
investigating intricate phenomena, such as the practises of project
management. The data will be procured from diverse sources,
comprising project reports, project plans, financial reports, and
pertinent articles accessible on the internet. The data that has been
gathered will undergo content analysis in order to ascertain the
project management methodologies that have been employed in
the projects under consideration (Ullah, 2019).
Expected Outcomes The study will provide an in-depth understanding of the project
management practises that contribute to the success of
construction project. This research was meticulous and added to
the reservoir of information. This research should help us grasp
digital technology in building project management. This study
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

will benefit both building industry researchers and policymakers

interested in the problem. The insights will help these individuals
use digital technology to innovate and advance project outcomes.
The findings will show how these people can better use digital
technologies.
This study gives construction project managers a theoretical
framework for understanding digital technology's pros and
disadvantages and potential solutions. This analysis will enable
further research and digital technology use in the building and
construction sector. We will first review the relevant literature to
succeed.
Conclusion The proposed research aims to contribute to the existing
knowledge on project management technologies in construction
project management. The study's findings will provide insights
into the best technologies that can be used to ensure project
success and avoid project failure. The research will also
contribute to the construction industry's body of knowledge by
identifying the critical factors that contribute to project
management.

References
Banaitiene, N. and Banaitis, A., 2012. Risk management in construction projects. Risk
management-current issues and challenges, pp.429-448.
Degree: Masters of Construction Project Management Dissertation_2023

Barnes, M., 1988. Construction project management. International Journal of Project

Management, 6(2), pp.69-79.
Chen, X., Chang-Richards, A.Y., Pelosi, A., Jia, Y., Shen, X., Siddiqui, M.K. and Yang, N.,
2022. Implementation of technologies in the construction industry: a systematic
review. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(8), pp.3181-3209.
Kiu, M.S., Chia, F.C. and Wong, P.F., 2022. Exploring the potentials of blockchain application
in construction industry: a systematic review. International journal of construction
management, 22(15), pp.2931-2940.
Manzoor, B., Othman, I. and Pomares, J.C., 2021. Digital technologies in the architecture,
engineering and construction (Aec) industry—A bibliometric—Qualitative literature review of
research activities. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(11),
p.6135.
Newman, C., Edwards, D., Martek, I., Lai, J., Thwala, W.D. and Rillie, I., 2021. Industry 4.0
deployment in the construction industry: a bibliometric literature review and UK-based case
study. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 10(4), pp.557-580.
Sears, S.K., Sears, G.A., Clough, R.H., Rounds, J.L. and Segner, R.O., 2015. Construction
project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Toor, S.U.R. and Ogunlana, S.O., 2008. Problems causing delays in major construction projects
in Thailand. Construction management and economics, 26(4), pp.395-408.
Ullah, K., Lill, I. and Witt, E., 2019, May. An overview of BIM adoption in the construction
industry: Benefits and barriers. In 10th Nordic conference on construction economics and
organization (Vol. 2, pp. 297-303). Emerald Publishing Limited.