A Review on the Digitalization of On-Site Production Management—Case Study in a Portuguese Construction Company

The Construction Industry (CI) is characterised by a low-skilled workforce and a low level of digitalization and information integration. Compared to similar industries, it suffers from low productivity and low efficiency. This paper explores alternative ways of collecting data at the construction site to improve on-site production management through workforce control, taking into account the technical skills of on-site workers. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify the main trends and research tools. The main objective of this research is to propose solutions for the digitalization of worksite processes. The use of technologies, especially mobile applications, accelerates the transmission of productivity information and allows management to make informed decisions and reduce the burden of the control process. This paper presents a case study demonstrating that mobile applications can bridge the gap between the workplace and the office and fit into the context of geographic dispersion. Although mobile applications are beneficial for managing production in the field, a system that integrates all software and data storage in a single location is required to achieve lasting results in efficiently transferring information from the field to the office. This research argues for a gradual adoption of these technologies in construction companies. Further study of the transition between different levels of digitization is essential to determine the true impact on a company's productivity.