Ghosh, B and Karmakar, S (2025) Development and application of a digitalized construction quality document management system for advanced construction using building information modeling. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(6): 04025053, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Quality is paramount in construction projects, with inspection being a cornerstone of effective quality management. However, prevailing practices in the construction quality document management system (CQDMS) are riddled with complexity and are plagued by inefficient inspection processes, improper documentation, cumbersome handling of nonconformance reports, and inadequate correspondence and record-keeping. These challenges, compounded by communication gaps, overlooking checkpoints, and the arduous manual transition from paper to digital records, increase the risk of defects, jeopardizing structural integrity and escalating risk. The lack of a standardized and transparent system for managing quality information undermines assurance processes and increases the likelihood of stakeholder disputes. Moreover, the manual nature of inputting, retrieving, analyzing, and disseminating inspection results consumes valuable time and resources and is prone to errors and the risk of data manipulation. The challenges highlight the need for innovative solutions to streamline the inspection and documentation process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Therefore, in confronting these challenges, this research focuses on (1) identifying the disruptions and challenges associated with the existing CQDMS; (2) developing a CQDMS using the building information modeling (BIM) integrated quality management system (QMS), named QMS-BIM, to enhance the traceability and transparency of quality management; this framework has been developed using an application programming interface and a specialized plugin in Autodesk Revit (BIM platform); and (3) evaluating the developed framework through practical implementation on an Indian national highway (NH) project, where construction experts assessed the model's performance. The results showed that the QMS-BIM framework achieved over 80% better performance and attained effectiveness levels of around 78%, significantly surpassing conventional CQDMS based on implementation results obtained from the NH project. The study leverages the transformative potential of BIM to develop QMS-BIM to centralize and digitalize CQDMS, standardizing construction QMS for consistency, security, and enhancing construction engineering and management efficiency in construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modeling; construction; nonconformance report; quality document management system; report for information |
| Index terms: | inspection, dispute, integrity, platform, building information modelling, efficiency, transparency, quality management, implementation, effectiveness, construction engineering, quality management system, documentation, accuracy, management system, traceability, construction quality, complexity, programming, construction project |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, programming, quality assurance, health safety and environment, production management, digital design, supplier oversight, project delivery, dispute resolution, systems engineering, information systems, management, performance management, engineering methods, professional development |
| Topics: | Information Management, Organizational Design, Digital Applications, Procurement, Health and Safety, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here