Quantity surveyor’s perspective on document management in construction projects: an exploratory study in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) have become increasingly popular in recent years as construction organisations seek to improve document management efficiency, productivity, and security. However, the Quantity Surveyor (QS), a key stakeholder responsible for construction documentation management, has less adapted to it in the Sri Lankan context. Accordingly, this study used twelve expert interviews to identify the status of documentation management in the Sri Lankan construction industry from a QS perspective. Manual content analysis was used to analyse the findings. Despite the disadvantages, the conventional DMS approach is still prevalent in the Sri Lankan context. Despite the QSs having a basic understanding of the EDMS approach and being willing to transit to EDMS, they are less familiar with EDMS software. In addition, project size, limited availability of technical facilities, and the reluctance of government and professionals cause to continue this adaptation are still a barrier. The findings of this research can be based on future studies on different stakeholder perspectives. Since conventional DMS is proved to be a less efficient solution for the document management of construction projects and EDMS is also difficult to be initiated, these findings can be benchmarked by policymakers to address the identified causes of the issue.