Primary challenges of construction project management in Vietnam’s digital transformation

This study investigates 15 primary challenges of construction project management within the context of digital transformation, yet limited research has been conducted to compare the perceptions of the public and private sectors. Data were collected through a survey of project managers in Vietnam and analysed by using a combination of statistical methods, including reliability testing, the Mann–Whitney U test, the one-sample t test, and the Relative Importance Index (RII). The results revealed significant differences between the public and private sectors regarding the severity of three challenges. In addition, the RII analysis highlighted the most pressing challenges, including inaccurate budget estimation for large projects, legal and regulatory complexities, skill shortages in technological expertise, uncertainty in project progress monitoring, and insufficient guidance on digital transformation. This study contributes to the project management body of knowledge by offering a comparative analysis of public and private sector perceptions of the primary challenges associated with construction project management in the context of digital transformation. Practically, this study provides actionable recommendations tailored to the specific challenges faced by project managers in each sector in Vietnam, delivering targeted strategies to enhance project management practices and drive effective digital transformation in the country’s rapidly expanding construction industry.