Exploring the potential improvement of quality control in the construction industry with the use of digital technology

The construction industry has traditionally relied on paper to manage quality records, resulting in the capture and analysis of data being challenging, preventing historical performance analytics that lead to better outcomes. This research is aimed at critiquing the application of digital technologies for the potential improvement of quality management in the construction phase of civil engineering projects. To address the aim, two objectives emerge. The first is reviewing digital technologies that are available for use in quality control that could assist in the reduction of defects. The second is seeking the viewpoint from construction professionals to develop a quality management framework employing the most applicable digital technologies. In support of the objectives, a qualitative research approach involves multiple sources of data collection, gained from literature and interviews. Participants include digital engineering specialists, designers, main contractors and subcontractors. Applicable digital quality applications are identified as electronic document management systems, personal digital assistants, building information modelling (BIM), mobile construction application products (apps), clash mitigation using BIM, real time performance information, point clouds of as-built construction, three-dimensional vision on mobile phones and barcodes, among others. This holistic and collaborative approach facilitates personnel to make better decisions in the use of quality data. Implications for practice indicated that training, visible use of digital technologies and the provision of an effective common data environment are paramount in instigating digital applications. Employing this digital engineering in the construction phase should encourage the continuing journey to greater automation of the building activities themselves with an improvement in quality and productivity.