New research highlights growing divide between organizations with integrated project controls and those still relying on siloed systems
BOSTON — Capital construction owners that have embraced integrated digital project controls are significantly more likely to complete projects on time and within budget than their less digitally advanced peers, according to new research released by Dodge Construction Network and Contruent.
The report, Digital Maturity of Project Controls for Owners SmartMarket Insight, examined how organizations managing at least $100 million in annual capital construction spending are using digital tools, data, and workflows to oversee projects. The study found that while most owners have invested heavily in digital technologies, many continue to operate in disconnected systems that limit the benefits those investments can deliver.
Researchers evaluated the digital maturity of 10 key project and program management functions, including estimating, procurement, contract administration, cost management, scheduling, resource management, risk management, and reporting and analytics.
The findings revealed wide disparities in maturity levels across organizations and functions. Cost management and reporting analytics ranked among the most advanced areas, while estimating, procurement, contract administration, and resource management lagged behind.
According to the report, the most digitally mature organizations distinguished themselves through enterprise-wide processes, integrated workflows, platform-based technology solutions, and access to real-time data.
“Even for relatively immature functions, the scores for use of digital tools and processes are quite high, demonstrating that owners are increasingly relying on digital solutions,” said Dr. Donna Laquidara-Carr, industry insights research director at Dodge Construction Network. “But they are still operating in silos of excellence, rather than fully integrating their data, and that puts a ceiling on the benefits they can expect.”
The study found a strong correlation between digital maturity and project performance. Among the 10 organizations with the highest digital maturity scores, 90% reported that at least three-quarters of their projects were completed on or under budget. By comparison, only 33% of the remaining respondents achieved similar results.
Schedule performance showed an even greater divide. Forty percent of the most digitally mature owners reported that at least 75% of their projects were completed on schedule or ahead of schedule, compared with just 5% of other respondents.
The ability to respond quickly to emerging project challenges also differed significantly. Eighty percent of the top-performing organizations could generate critical project data within hours when cost or schedule issues arose, while only 13% of other organizations reported the same capability.
“Many of the factors that impact budget and schedule these days are outside the control of owners or contractors, including fluctuating materials costs and labor shortages,” said Jason Rupert, CEO of Contruent. “The unpredictability of these factors makes owners’ digital maturity even more important for achieving reliable project outcomes.”
Despite the growing recognition of digital technology’s value, the report found that financial barriers are not the primary obstacle to modernization. Fewer than 10% of respondents cited budget constraints, lack of leadership support, or inadequate technology options as significant challenges.
Instead, organizations identified implementation as the largest hurdle. Integrating legacy systems, aligning workflows across departments, and overcoming employee resistance to change were cited as the most common barriers to achieving higher levels of digital maturity.
“The technology is only half the battle,” said Karl Vantine, chief customer officer at Contruent. “Successful digital transformation depends just as much on implementation expertise. Owners are often trying to connect complex workflows, legacy systems, and multiple project teams all at once.”
The findings come as construction owners face increasing pressure to deliver projects efficiently amid ongoing labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and cost volatility. Researchers concluded that organizations able to integrate project controls and leverage real-time data are better positioned to navigate those challenges and achieve more predictable outcomes.
As capital project portfolios continue to grow in size and complexity, the report suggests that digital maturity may increasingly become a competitive advantage rather than simply a technology initiative.
