Integration of Augmented Reality and Blockchain Technologies for Visualizing and Documenting Change Orders in a Building Project: Case Study

Construction projects will inevitably experience changes and modifications, which frequently result in disputes and interruptions. Despite the fact that the construction industry has made progress, the approaches that are now being used to manage change orders are still insufficient. This study presents a novel framework that combines augmented reality (AR) and blockchain technologies, which are both technologies that are associated with Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies, to enhance the identification and documentation of change orders as well as a more comprehensive understanding of their combined effect on change order management. Also, adopting a multitechnology approach enhances the economic efficiency of using technologies, expands the range of applications, and improves project conditions. Hence, the new framework facilitates the visualization of design modifications through augmented reality and securely records stakeholder approvals and disapprovals using blockchain, ensuring an immutable and transparent decision-making record. The framework’s efficacy was evaluated in a real-world building project case study compared to the traditional method. An evaluation of the duration of the implementation was carried out, and the cognitive load of the participants was evaluated using the NASA TLX questionnaire. The results of these evaluations indicated that the new framework reduces the amount of time required, particularly for individuals who possess higher academic qualifications and related software experience. Conversely, individuals lacking these qualifications experienced increased implementation times and higher frustration levels. According to the feedback from participants regarding the new framework, the advantages are classified into implementation and usability, data management, and efficiency in project management, while technological requirements, user adoption challenges, and financial and operational risks are considered the three disadvantage groups. This study introduces a technology-driven framework aimed at enhancing change order management and outlines potential avenues for further investigation.