INTEGRATED DIGITAL DELIVERY (IDD) THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Singapore’s construction industry has made decent progress in adopting advanced technologies (e.g. BIM) and off-site methods to reach the government’s productivity target. Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) is one of the contemporary approaches launched by the government to further improve construction productivity. Despite the government’s efforts to promote IDD and its potential benefits in raising construction efficiency, the adoption rate of IDD is still low and many firms remain resistant to it due to its steep learning curve and high costs.

The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting the adoption of IDD through virtual construction (VC) in Singapore and to better understand the strategies required to effectively encourage the built environment sector to adopt the digitized construction process. It investigated the extent to which VC technology is adopted, benefits and challenges of using VC technology, and assessed the receptiveness of construction professionals towards virtual construction.

A survey questionnaire was conducted with the local construction industry practitioners which includes the project managers, consultants and quantity surveyors and 64 responses were received. It was found that IDD through digital construction can potentially improve construction efficiency. However, it is not widely practiced in local construction projects and the results showed that project owners and government have significant influence over successful adoption of such construction approach.

In order to effectively encourage firms to adopt digital construction approach, trainings are essential to educate the project stakeholders and aid them in overcoming the challenges faced when implementing the practical application.