Exploring Data Science Applications for Construction Project Performance in the South African Construction Industry

Construction projects create vast amounts of data which is produced throughout the project’s lifecycle in the form of building plans, schedules, cost estimates, bills of quantities and variation orders, etc. Data science has the potential to enhance processes like project delivery, decision-making, equipment and personnel management, transparency, and communication. Hence, it has been noted as an upcoming technology that could assist the construction industry in meeting the data increase. Despite the significant benefits associated with the implementation of data science, the South African construction industry (SACI) continues to have problems with budget overruns, time delays, and the project being delivered below quality standards. Thus, the aim of the paper was to investigate data science applications for construction project performance in the SACI. The research was carried out using the quantitative approach through a well-structured questionnaire that was distributed to construction professionals in South Africa (SA). A total of 55 responses were received from the participants, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistical procedures using the computer software SPSS. The study disclosed the major applications of data science for construction project performance to be in tracking construction equipment and assets, project cost management, and operations and maintenance. The research findings prove that there is still a low adoption of data science for all facets of construction project performance as construction equipment and assets, project cost management as well as operations and maintenance relate to cost performance not quality and time performance.