On-Site Quality Assurance: Moving from Forms to Digital Capture

Abstract

The construction industry is in the midst of a transition with traditional design systems being replaced by novel 3D modelling technologies. This transition takes place gradually rather than radically, and while new systems (e.g. Building Information Modelling, BIM) become increasingly diffused in the industry, many legacy systems and practices are left intact. Quality assurance using the old method of filling out forms for the registration of errors and omissions is replaced by systems such as RIB Capture, where an app on a mobile phone is used to take a photo which is immediately sent to the person involved, e. g. carpenter, plumber, electrician etc. We ran a case study in a large industry standard type of residential project executed by a contractor. Data were collected based on a series of qualitative interviews conducted with the on-site personnel. This was analyzed according to the Technology Acceptance Model, which explains how individuals develop an intention to use new technology. Our contribution to the body of literature is that we compare the technology acceptance of new and existing quality assurance methods in order to unearth their relative advantages. This work is important for managers deciding on a combination of quality control tools, enabling them to better run their projects efficiently. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Budapest University of Technology and Economics & Diamond Congress Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Creative Construction Conference 2019.