Jaskula, Klaudia (2024) Blockchain-enabled CBIM for lifecycle data provenance. PhD thesis, University College London, UK.
Abstract
The basic premise of a Common Data Environment (CDE) is exposing all data as a single source of truth for all stakeholders, enabling effective information management during the whole lifecycle of a built asset. However, current centralised CDEs. typically characterised by a single party holding control over data, are not suitable for the fragmented nature of the construction industry. They are vulnerable to security risks such as data manipulation which can undermine trust among project stakeholders, both towards each other and towards the integrity of the data itself. This research aims to explore how blockchain could be used to improve the current information management workflows during the entire lifecycle of a built asset. First, data was collected through a systematic literature review, online survey and semi-structured interviews with professionals to better understand current problems surrounding collaboration and data exchange in construction projects and define the requirements for a new tool. The results revealed that multiple CDE tools are used simultaneously, leading to a lack of traceability in construction projects. Furthermore, a single tool for information management throughout the entire asset’s lifecycle is impractical due to unique requirements in each phase. Therefore, this research study proposes to use blockchain to record transactions from current platforms used in the industry rather than introducing an alternative CDE that should replace them. Consequently, a Design Science Research methodology was utilised to develop a framework and a prototype of a blockchain-based CDE tool. Finally, the tool was evaluated through a focus group and a user study. The results of the evaluation highlight the unique value of the proposed solution, particularly in terms of the immutability and neutrality provided by the blockchain. Providing an indisputable historical record of transactions can significantly contribute to reducing the number of disputes in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modelling; blockchain; data provenance; information management |
| Index terms: | construction project, platform, design science research, project stakeholder, interview, construction industry, focus group, systematic literature review, blockchain, building information modelling, neutrality, prototype, lifecycle, collaboration, survey, traceability, methodology, common data environment, dispute, workflow, built asset, data exchange, integrity |
| Subjects: | production management, design practice, computing systems, data exchange, research evaluation and metrics, industry analysis, management, information systems, health safety and environment, data collection methods, sociology, digital design, asset management, dispute resolution, supplier oversight, ethical practice, research methods, modelling and simulation, project delivery |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Health and Safety, Organizational Design, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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