Exploring the potentials, impacts, and challenges of mobile technology application in cost management of construction projects

Abstract

Managing cost of construction projects is one of the key challenges faced during production of constructed facilities. These challenges are occasioned by diverse factors associated with the construction process which include but not limited to the dispersed nature of construction workers, complexity of sites and projects, poor communication, getting cost data from multiple sources, and challenge of tracking and keeping accurate construction information. Recent advancements of mobile technology application in the construction industry provide great innovative avenues for addressing these challenges. Mobile technology has become an essential tool for the construction industry and other engineering sectors. The potentials and current impacts of mobile technology cannot be over emphasized as the its applications spans through all stages of construction process. Most of the key tools used in the management of construction projects have been virtually translated into mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, etc. in the form of mobile Apps. This paper explores these potentials, the impacts and the key challenges in using mobile technologies for management of construction projects, with greater emphasis on the application for cost management.