Understanding end-user challenges in digital construction information management

Brelih, Anja (author), Slobodnik, Jan (author), Srdič, Aleksander (author), Klinc, Robert (author)

The construction industry relies heavily on effective communication and collaboration to manage complex, unique projects, but often faces challenges due to fragmented information and poor data management practises. This paper aims to answer the question of what the key barriers end-users face are when managing information during the construction phase and how these can be effectively assessed and addressed. The study uses a multi-phase approach that includes a comprehensive literature review, the 5M (Manpower, Methods, Machinery, Materials, Management) categorisation framework and the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method, supported by survey data to validate and prioritise the identified barriers. The research found that the main barriers for successful implementation of Common Data Environment (CDE) systems are the use of multiple communication channels, low awareness of the benefits of CDE and insufficient user training and digital skills. These findings are of critical importance for construction professionals, project managers and policy makers looking to improve collaboration, reduce inefficiencies and promote digital transformation in construction projects. The findings encourage future research into targeted training programmes, unified communication protocols and awareness campaigns to improve the uptake of CDE systems and promote a more integrated and efficient construction industry.

• Language: English
• Keywords: analytic hierarchy process, building information modelling, common data environment, communication in construction
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FGG - Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 1504-1512
• Numbering: Vol. 33, no. 4
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184718
• UDC: 69
• ISSN on article: 1330-3651
• DOI: 10.17559/TV-20250909002972
• COBISS.SI-ID: 284749059
• Publication date in RUL: 14.07.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Tehnički vjesnik : znanstveno-stručni časopis tehničkih fakulteta Sveučilišta u Osijeku
• Shortened title: Teh. vjesn. - Stroj. fak.
• Publisher: Strojarski fakultet, Elektrotehnički fakultet, Građevinski fakultet
• ISSN: 1330-3651
• COBISS.SI-ID: 15346181

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: BIM, informacijsko modeliranje gradenj, CDE, skupno podatkovno okolje, metoda AHP, večkriterijsko odločanje

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P2-0210
• Name: E-Gradbeništvo