Scenarios for applying RFID technology in construction project management

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been widely applied in various areas such as retail, electronic transaction, logistic and supply chain management, scientific research, security, etc. It has brought about great benefits in these areas through improving real-time information visibility and traceability. However, a widespread application of RFID in the construction industry has not taken place. One possible reason is that construction practitioners may have not been fully informed of its potentials. This paper aims to investigate various scenarios that can illustrate the uses of RFID technology in construction project management. The research starts from a brief summary of recent developments of RFID technology in different industrial sectors including construction. 16 researchers were split into 3 groups to investigate how RFID can be used in the management of materials, men, and machinery (M3) for construction projects. Perspectives for future studies are proposed in order to fully realise the potentials. The research encourages a wider adoption of RFID technology in improving current PM practices. It also provides academia with a platform for further exploring the innovative uses of RFID technology in construction.

Research highlights
► RFID has great potential in improving CPM goals such as time, quality, cost, safety, and environment by applying it in the management of materials, labours, and machinery.
► RFID can largely enhance the real‐time information visibility and traceability in CPM.
► RFID is slowly adopted in the construction industry owing to its many technical, financial, and ethical hurdles.
► The industry should be well informed of the benefits of the RFID technology.