Application of Big Data Technology in the Construction Industry in Kenya: a Case Study of Nairobi County

Abstract

The mere ability to capture large amount of data digitally, store, clean, analyze, and retrieve insightful information from the comfort of one’s keyboard in Kenya construction industry ignited this study. The focus is particularly on the finished and ongoing projects, each at its own capacity. Further this study was informed by the thought of a centralized digital retrieval system of information concerning all construction projects. As such, BDT platform creates the single most source of the truth through digital data handling and management. Hence the need for digitizing construction processes by integrating all BIMa processes, real time data, social media information, and internet of things to a BDT platform for central storage and retrieval. The purpose of this study was to investigate the application and the viability of BDT in the construction industry in Kenya. The overall objective was achieved by: examining the status of application of BDT in construction industry in Kenya; identifying the factors that determine the application of BDT in construction industry; and determining the frameworks to use in integrating application of BDT into the construction industry. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive survey method. Primary data was collected from construction consultants working at the NCA which is a contractors regulatory body, MoTIHUD & PW, AAK which is a professional body, private sector consulting firms, construction companies and universities, randomly selected using questionnaires for data collection. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study did point out on the general qualification information of the respondents, BDT extent of adoption, the education teaching on BDT, the benefits of and the limitations to BDT adoption, BDT and integrating platforms. Top findings were that BDT has not been adopted in Kenya Construction industry, Tertiary institutions in Kenya are not training students on BDT and thus the skill gap in the industry, social media ranked the top most known and used integrating platform in use in Kenya followed by BIMa. This calls for the integration of operations which are currently segmented. The study recommended that the tertiary institutions of the built environment schools to come up with a BDT curriculum. Practicing consultants can be enlightened of BDT through workshops and seminars. Government policy on BDT needs to be formulated so that all industry players are keen to wire project data to a central repository.