ADOPTION AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL TOOLS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

This study focused on the adoption and utilization of it and digital tools in project management in road construction in south East Nigeria. The guiding objective of the study is to determine the level of IT and digital tools adoption in project management in road construction in Southeast Nigeria. To identify the challenges to the adoption of IT and digital tools in project management of road construction projects in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and system theory by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. The study employed a survey design method, utilizing a quantitative approach through a meticulously structured questionnaire. The population of this study constituted all relevant registered road construction professionals as obtained from the register of various professional associations in South-East Nigeria. A sample size of 301 was gotten through Taro Yamane formula. The findings of the study reveals that Various IT tools, such as Project Management Software (PMS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Building Information Modeling (BIM), are increasingly utilized to enhance project planning, execution, and monitoring. The study further reveals that The challenges in adopting IT and digitalization in road construction projects in Southeast Nigeria are multifaceted. Financial constraints are a major barrier, as the high costs associated with acquiring and maintaining advanced digital tools are often prohibitive for many construction firms. Additionally, there is a significant skills gap, with many project managers and workers lacking the necessary training to effectively utilize digital tools. The study recommends that Continuous training and IT education are essential to equip professionals with the skills needed to effectively use digital tools in road construction