This paper proposes a domain-specific design science research (DSR) methodological framework for the built environment, integrating artefact taxonomy, evaluation strategy selection, phase-to-output guidance, and a researcher self-assessment checklist for construction management, BIM, and facility management contexts.
A PRISMA compliant systematic literature review across five databases retrieved 327 papers; 248 underwent full-text assessment and 30 met inclusion criteria. Structured data extraction and thematic synthesis identified patterns in DSR framework adoption, artefact types, knowledge contributions, evaluation methods and critical success factors across built environment sub-domains.
Instantiation artefacts dominate the corpus (37%, n = 11) and improvement contributions prevail (67%, n = 20), revealing a field of applied strength and limited theory-building engagement. Four primary frameworks require contextual adaptation for construction settings. Three pragmatic evaluation alternatives address timescale and access constraints: prospective validation, embedded knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) designs, and multi-site replication. The framework is grounded in systematic analysis of 30 empirical DSR studies conducted in built environment contexts.
Whilst prior DSR frameworks offer process guidance and prior built environment studies develop domain-specific artefacts, the two bodies of work have not been synthesised into a consolidated methodological resource simultaneously addressing artefact taxonomy, evaluation strategy selection, phase-to-output mapping, and researcher self-assessment. This paper addresses that gap through empirically grounded synthesis from 30 built environment DSR studies.
