Appraisal of Mobile Apps for Communication and Collaboration among Construction Project Teams

Abstract

Purpose: The construction industry faces communication and collaboration challenges, leading to delays, errors, and increased costs. This study investigates the impact and effectiveness of mobile apps in enhancing internal and external communication and collaboration in the construction industry.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The research design consisted of five phases: familiarisation with the study topic, literature search for construction apps, selection of apps, assessment and categorisation of apps, and validation of app functionality. The selection of apps was based on their versatility, capability to perform multiple tasks, market popularity, relevance to communication and collaboration, readability, and range of functions. Empirical study articles were used to validate and assess the functionalities claimed by the app developers.
 Findings: Out of the 65 mobile apps evaluated, only 12 met the exclusion criteria for assessing the practicality of their functions through empirical evidence. Mobile apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, SmartBidNet, and Basecamp have the potential to significantly enhance communication, collaboration, and decision-making processes in the construction industry.
 The Research Limitation: The study identified and evaluated only 12 mobile apps out of 65, based on the exclusion criteria established to evaluate the practicality of the applications' functions through empirical evidence. This limited sample size may not fully represent the range of mobile apps available for communication and collaboration in the construction industry.
 Practical Implication: The mobile apps to be used by project team members have the potential to replace traditional methods, particularly for geographically dispersed teams, leading to improved project efficiency and accuracy.
 Social Implication: Mobile apps facilitate real-time communication with local communities, allowing construction projects to address concerns and involve community members in the decision-making process.
 Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing insights into the availability, accessibility, and competencies of mobile apps in improving internal and external communication and collaboration within the construction industry.