Despite recognising the benefits of digital transformation, most organisations in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, lag behind as they struggle to identify where to start and how to implement new technologies. This article aims to provide a decision-making framework to guide AEC organisations through the digital transformation journey towards improved business and project performance.
A systematic review of 65 digital transformation articles focusing on decision-making within the AEC sector from 2009 to 2024 was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol.
Digital transformation can take place with decision-making at either the project or organisational level. A set of implementation measures, such as questionnaires and interviews, can be used in alignment with individualised digital transformation goals. A digital transformation framework was developed to guide organisations through the transformation journey towards improved business and project performance as a result of digitalisation.
This is the first attempt to build a decision-making framework from a systematic literature review combining all sizes and business types of AEC organisations. AEC organisations can use it to facilitate an integrative evaluation, as well as selection of strategies and action plans that can help accelerate digital transformation across both project and organisational levels.
