Applying Blockchain Technology to Improving the Contractors' Autonomous Quality Inspection ⎯ Technologies, Advantages, and Feasibility

Abstract

In Taiwan, the Government has established a robust "three-level quality control system" for managing and ensuring public projects' construction quality. However, due to the opportunism problems and government bureaucracy, the authenticity and efficiency have long been the major problems of contractor's autonomous quality inspection. Concerning the information authenticity problem (such as inspection information), the emerging "Blockchain" technology as shown great potentials in resolving the issues. In this paper, we proposed a framework for developing a "Blockchain autonomous inspection system" and showed that applying Blockchain technology to the contractor's self-quality inspection has great advantages and is both technological and practical feasible. We also showed that the Blockchain inspection system could improve the efficiency of traditional paper works in inspection through the "digitized" information management. In terms of research methodology, developed a prototype of Blockchain inspection system for evaluating the technical feasibility. We then, conduct the practical feasibility evaluation by interviewing with practitioners and experts regarding their views on Blockchain's application potentials and their feedback on the testing use of prototype. These evaluations' conclusions can be important references for future development of Blockchain inspection system.