IMPACT OF INTEGRATED DIGITAL DELIVERY (IDD) ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT: CHANGES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Since the launch of the Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) initiative, the industry has taken steps towards greater digitization which promises better project performance in time, cost, quality, safety and manpower. Indeed, IDD is an imperative considering the global trends of sustainable facilities, complex of building requirements and rise in digital technologies which can be harnessed. The traditional method of project delivery has become increasingly limited at meeting the evolving needs of projects and clients.

While IDD has the potential to produce better project outcomes, there is limited study on the effect of the paradigm shift from a traditional and fragmented project management to IDD. It is crucial to understand the impact that IDD has on current processes so that stakeholders can better integrate new processes. Hence, this research aims to firstly, study the benefits that IDD brings to project time, cost and quality performance. Secondly, to examine the changes in project management processes with the transition to IDD project management. Thirdly, to investigate the important project management skills for IDD projects. Ultimately, a framework will be suggested for industry players to adopt IDD.

The literature review identified 7 main success factors of managing construction projects. The traditional approach of project time, cost and quality management are reviewed according to the success factors, identifying its processes and limitations. At the same time, IDD technologies are identified and their corresponding benefits to the success factors are listed in comparison the traditional methods. A total of 10 project management skills that are relevant to IDD are identified as well. A survey questionnaire was then developed and distributed to stakeholders in the construction industry. The collected data was then analysed with non-parametric analysis methods to study the significance and differences according to the respondents’ and organizations’ profiles. Meanwhile, both local and overseas case studies were reviewed to provide further insight into the data results. Interviews with 4 industry players were also conducted to validate the survey results.

The results show that IDD will most significantly benefit the need for Effective Communication of Information across all 3 project objectives to produce greater time, cost and quality outcomes. The processes that are most significantly impacted relate to time management- namely Planning of Schedule Management, Controlling Schedule and Developing Schedule. The top three skills identified are Leadership, Ability to Build Trust and Rapport with Stakeholders, and Delegation.

This research shows that IDD will critically change the dynamics between people and processes, although such changes can be integrated incrementally according to the organization’s needs and capabilities. Moreover, a clear IDD plan must be established to target and benefit the organization’s objectives.

The findings of this research provide valuable information for organizations to consider their plan to integrate IDD into their conventional processes through the analysis of the benefits of IDD on the project success factors, the changes of IDD on project processes and the necessary skills to adopt IDD successfully.