Assessing the Digital Transformation Readiness of the Construction Industry Utilizing the Delphi Method

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technology has enabled digital transformation across various sectors, including construction. The construction industry has long been associated with conventional, labor-intensive practices that can adversely influence the entire construction process. However, this culture is changing as key players in the sector are progressively identifying and embracing the vast opportunities and associated benefits of using digital tools and technologies to improve the performance and outcomes of the overall project lifecycle. To this end, this study uses the Delphi technique to identify 70 factors that contribute to the digital transformation of the construction industry, categorizing them into five groups: management, design, technology, policy, and infrastructure. Delphi analysis is used to examine the critical success factors for digital transformation identified in the literature and rate their importance during the preconstruction, construction, and facility management phases. Furthermore, this research results in the introduction of the Digital Transformation Level of Readiness Framework (DTRLF) to help facility management firms, clients, organizations, contractors, and designers comprehend the implementation of digital transformation within their respective domains and support decision-makers in establishing action to adapt related technologies in their respected project phases.