Exploring the adoption of digital technology at the different phases of construction projects in South Africa

The study aimed at having a review of the adoption of digital technologies in the South African construction industry with particular emphasis on the awareness of the various digital technological innovations, their applicability at the different stages of construction processes and the extent of usage at the different stages was equally considered. The research area for the study is Gauteng Province, South Africa, while quantitative approach was deployed with the aid of questionnaire survey. Respondents for the study are construction professionals comprising of Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Builders and Engineers. Analysis was carried out with appropriate statistical tools. Findings from the study revealed that Internet of Things (IoT) and Sensors are the digital technologies mostly deployed in construction processes, while generally there is a low adoption of digital technologies for construction projects. Equally revealed is that the design/engineering phase has the highest level of awareness and usage of digital technologies among the different phases of construction projects. Conclusively, the study emphasized the need for the adoption of digital technology at all the phases of construction projects as the potential benefits to be accrued are immense.