To ensure the reliability and validity of the bibliometric clusters produced in VOSviewer, some considerations guided the selection of minimum thresholds and normalization settings.

Minimum Occurrence/Document Thresholds: The thresholds applied to authors (min. 3 documents), sources (min. 5 documents), institutions (min. 4 documents), countries (min. 10 documents), and keywords (min. 10 occurrences) were chosen to balance network density and noise reduction. These thresholds are consistent with bibliometric best practices recommended by (Eck & Waltman, 2010), which emphasize excluding very low-frequency nodes to avoid division and unstable cluster formation.

Full Counting Method: Full counting was used because it ensures that every occurrence of a keyword or author is fully recognized, which is suitable for relatively moderate datasets such as those in this study’s 382 publications. Full counting, therefore, preserved thematic diversity without distorting influence patterns.

Association Strength Normalization: The association strength method was selected because it is the standard and most widely validated normalization technique in VOSviewer for co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling networks. It helps correct for scale differences across items and prevents large, general keywords such as “construction” from dominating the map.

Stability of Cluster Output: Multiple runs were performed with slight variations in thresholds and layout parameters. The core clusters BIM/sustainability, education-related digital tools, construction management innovation, and simulation/optimization consistently reappeared across all model runs. This consistency indicates strong cluster stability and confirms that the identified thematic structures are not pieces of specific parameter settings.

Alignment with prior Bibliometric Studies: The chosen parameters align with thresholds commonly used in bibliometric studies within construction management, such as (Aliu et al., 2023) and (Sinaga et al., 2024). The recurrence of similar cluster themes in prior studies further supports the robustness of the clustering outcomes.

Table 1 identified 8 authors out of 1,241 authors who have a minimum of 3 documents and a minimum of 10 citations, Table 2 identified 14 sources out of 175 with a minimum of 5 documents per source, and Table 3 identified 10 institutions out of 587 institutions with a minimum of 4 documents per institution in digital tools for project delivery in construction management. Minimum thresholds for the number of documents and citations were applied in VOSviewer to reduce network complexity and enhance interpretability. This approach ensured that only authors, sources, and institutions with sustained scholarly contributions and sufficient citation impact were included, thereby improving the strength of network relationships and cluster structures.

Table 1 identifies the top 8 authors contributing to the literature on digital tools for project delivery in construction management, with Skirtmore, Martin, and emerging as the most prolific and highly cited author, followed by Blismas, Nick, and Wakefield, Ron. These authors have made significant contributions, with Skirtmore’s work accumulating 5 documents and 210 citations, indicating influence within the scholarly community.

Findings from existing bibliometric studies, such as (Zhang et al., 2025), had a similar pattern where these prolific authors dominated the field. Researchers like Skirtmore have extensively contributed to construction innovation and digitalization research, including BIM and project management technologies. Additionally, the importance of authors like Blismas and Wakefield indicates their contributions to exploring the incorporation of digital tools with sustainable and innovative construction practices. Their work aligns with the broader shift toward understanding how digital technologies influence project efficiency, safety, and collaboration. Identifying these authors confirms these key authors’ consistency across bibliometric analyses. Their influence shows the importance of their research outputs in setting plans for future studies, such as exploring barriers to digital adoption or developing new frameworks for BIM implementation.

Table 2 identifies the top 14 sources contributing to the literature on digital tools for project delivery in construction management, revealing that journals such as the Journal of Civil Engineering and Management and Automation in Construction are the leading outlets, with 17 publications, 296 citations, and 5 publications, 283 citations, respectively. These sources collectively contain a large portion of influential research, as evidenced by their high citation counts. Existing bibliometric analyses, such as those by (Zhang et al., 2025), reveal a consistent pattern where reputable, high-impact journals serve as primary distribution channels for advancements in construction digitalization. Moreover, studies such as those of (Giang et al., 2021) emphasize the importance of specialized journals in fostering a cohesive research community focused on innovation and digital transformation within construction management. These sources enable the distribution of research on emerging trends like digital twins, IoT, and data analytics, reflecting the journal’s role in shaping the field’s intellectual structure. Additionally, Table 2 indicates that conference proceedings such as the “Creative Construction Conference” contribute a high volume of publications but attract comparatively fewer citations than leading journals. This pattern suggests that such conferences primarily serve as platforms for novel ideas and early-stage research, which subsequently mature and gain higher scholarly impact when published in these leading journals.

Generally, the position across bibliometric studies indicates that these key sources play key roles in advancing scientific understanding and community engagement around digital tools in construction project delivery. Their high citation metrics and frequent publication of influential papers confirm their status as core outlets shaping research plans, informing practice, and setting standards for digital innovations in construction management.

Table 3 identifies the top 10 institutions contributing to the literature on digital tools for project delivery in construction management, highlighting the leading organizations actively advancing this research area. The study identified Delft University of Technology as the top institution with 4 documents and 280 citations, followed by Heriot-Watt University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which are among the most prolific contributors with 4 documents and 206 citations and 6 documents and 171 citations, respectively. Previous studies by (Zhang et al., 2025) discovered that these institutions are recognized globally for their research excellence and innovation in construction digitalization. Delft University of Technology is frequently identified as a key player in BIM and construction automation research, aligning with its significant publication output. In conclusion, the importance of these institutions aligns with the broader scholarly landscape. It signifies their pivotal roles in advancing knowledge, developing innovative solutions, and fostering international collaboration in digital tools for construction project delivery.

To identify the research trends on digital tools for project delivery in construction management based on the number of keyword occurrences in the literature. Table 4, 24 keywords out of 1,992 keywords, and a minimum of 10 occurrences were identified across the 382 papers. These 24 keywords reveal the central themes and focus areas within the research area. These keywords were divided into four (4) thematic clusters, indicating interconnected research areas.

Table 4 identified 24 keywords, with Construction management being the most frequent keyword with 40 occurrences. The 24 keywords were further divided into four thematic clusters: BIM-related, education-related, construction-related, and design-related.

Cluster 1 (BIM and Sustainability Frameworks): This cluster, as shown in Figure 1, comprises six (6) co-occurring keywords, which include BIM, Construction Industry, Framework, Model, Performance, and Sustainability. This cluster centers around BIM, which is part of the construction industry, highlighting the development of frameworks and models to enhance performance and sustainability. BIM is extensively explored to standardize data exchange and collaboration, as seen in studies by (Azhar et al., 2012), highlighting the importance of BIM standards for improved project coordination. Also, as discussed by (Sacks et al., 2018), BIM integration involves optimizing schedules, cost, and resource management. The relationship between BIM and Sustainability is also well-documented, as identified by (Darwish et al., 2020), demonstrating how BIM can support sustainable design and construction practices.

Cluster 2 (Digital tools in Education): This is the second cluster in the digital tool cluster, as shown in the visualization map (see Figure 2). It is related to education and comprises five (5) co-occurring keywords: Digital tools, Education, Impact, Students, and Technology. This cluster emphasizes the educational and knowledge-dissemination aspects of digital tools in construction. Recent studies, such as (Oyesode et al., 2023), focus on the educational impact of integrating BIM and other digital tools in engineering curricula, such as how higher education institutions serve as hubs for cultivating digital literacy among students to meet industry demands. The impact of digital tools on developing competencies, as highlighted by research on teaching BIM in universities such as (Du, 2017) and (Giang et al., 2021), enhances students' readiness for the transformation of digital technology in the industry.

Cluster 3 (Innovations in Construction processes and Management): This cluster comprises four (4) co-occurring keywords, which include Construction processes, Construction management, Innovation, and Project management. This cluster revolves around applying digital tools within the broader scope of construction project management. Existing studies, such as those by (Samuelson & Stehn, 2023), reveal ongoing innovations in project management practices driven by digital tools, such as project scheduling software and AI-based risk management. Integrating digital innovations improves management efficiency, enhances collaboration, and reduces delays, as supported by research from (Mutoni, 2025). Emphasizes how digital tools support project outcomes, quality control, and management of complex construction projects.

Cluster 4 (Simulation-based Design Optimization): In this cluster, five (5) co-occurring keywords were identified, including Design, Optimization, Simulation, and System integration. This cluster focuses on the technical application of digital tools like simulation and optimization in construction design and systems management. Simulation technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are studied extensively for visualizing and optimizing construction sequences such as those of (Delgado et al., 2020). Digital optimization models employ algorithms to improve project scheduling, resource allocation, and cost management (Nabeel, 2024). This system method integrates various digital tools to facilitate holistic project planning and control, with literature emphasizing integrated systems for scheduling, design, and construction workflows, such as (Lee et al., 2010) and (Chen & Tang, 2019).

Addressing research gaps within these clusters, such as developing unified frameworks, enhancing digital literacy, and integrating advanced simulation tools, remains critical for progressing digital transformation in construction. The regular appearance of terms like “construction management”, “performance”, and “model” highlights the emphasis on optimizing construction processes and project outcomes through digital tools like BIM and simulation technologies. The current trends in using digital technologies for managing construction projects include widespread adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual and augmented reality, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin, machine learning, cloud computing, and mobile technologies. These tools enhance safety, coordination, data management, planning, scheduling, cost control, quality assurance, and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. This study strongly emphasizes BIM as a central technology, with digital twin, AI, drones, and reality technology also playing vital roles in improving construction processes and project oversight. Furthermore, research has evolved from foundational technological explorations to sophisticated, integrated applications to transform construction project delivery. Future studies will likely focus on enhancing digital literacy, expanding digital transformation in underrepresented regions, and developing comprehensive frameworks for digital integration.

To identify the geographical distribution of research outputs and countries or regions leading or under-represented on digital tools for project delivery in construction management. Table 5 identifies 11 out of 82 countries, and each of these 11 countries has a minimum of 10 documents.

Table 5 identifies that the People’s Republic of China leads significantly in the number of documents (49), while Australia leads in citations (520). The USA and England also contribute significantly to the literature. This distribution indicates a diverse global engagement, with significant contributions from Asia (China and South Korea), Europe (including Poland, England, and Germany), and Oceania (Australia). China’s leading position in publication volume and impactful citations underscores its central role in advancing research on digital tools in construction management. Overall, the data reflect both the prolific research activity and the regional strengths in the field, with countries like Australia and Indonesia standing out in citations despite fewer publications, suggesting high-impact contributions from these regions. This analysis revealed that regions like Africa are under-represented in the global research, with only South Africa actively contributing with 10 documents and 80 citations among the top countries contributing to the literature on digital tools for project delivery in construction management. Supporting this, (Mutoni, 2025) identified a distinct lack of studies focusing on the use of digital project management tools in Sub-Saharan Africa or other developing regions. Hence, there is a need for increased engagement from other African countries, particularly Nigeria, to participate more fully and contribute globally to this field of study.

The research gaps identified in this study are derived from the bibliometric findings rather than from speculative assumptions. The gaps emerge from observed thematic patterns in the keywords co-occurrence analysis (Table 4), uneven geographical distribution of research outputs (Table 5), and source analysis (Table 2). These patterns indicate areas warranting further investigation, as follows:

Need for integrated digital frameworks for project delivery. The keyword co-occurrence analysis (Table 4, Figure 1, Figure 2) reveals that research on digital tools for project delivery in construction management is organized into four thematic clusters: BIM and sustainability frameworks, Digital tools in education, Innovations in construction management, and Simulation-based design optimization. The limited interconnections among them indicate a fragmented research landscape. Notably, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, simulation, and optimization appear in separate clusters rather than being examined together within unified project delivery frameworks. This thematic separation suggests that existing studies focus on individual technologies or applications in isolation, with limited emphasis on integrated digital systems that combine BIM, AI, management processes, and education. Consequently, there is a research gap in the development and validation of holistic digital frameworks that integrate multiple digital tools to support end-to-end construction project delivery.

Addressing the need to improve digital literacy among construction professionals and stakeholders to facilitate digital tool implementation and the current use of digital tools. The separation of education-related keywords into a different cluster in Table 4 shows a gap between digital skills development and practical application in project delivery. This pattern indicates that while digital tools are increasingly discussed in educational contexts, fewer studies examine how these translate into professional practice and improved project delivery outcomes. Therefore, a gap exists in research that bridges digital education, workforce capability development, and real-world construction project performance.

Investigating ways to improve BIM implementation, integration, and utilization, construction project management can be improved to maximize its benefits throughout the project lifecycle. The co-occurrence network (Table 4) shows a strong dominance of BIM within the literature; emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality/Mixed-Reality, and Digital Twins exhibit lower occurrence within the network. This imbalance suggests that although BIM is well known and adopted, other advanced digital technologies remain underexplored in integrated construction project delivery. As a result, there is a research gap in empirical and applied studies that have examined the combined use of BIM with advanced digital technologies to enhance decision-making, risk management, and project optimization throughout the project lifecycle.

Need for regional participation, especially in Africa, specifically Nigeria. The geographical analysis (Table 5) reveals limited research output from Africa, with Nigeria absent among the leading contributors on digital tools for project delivery. The research output is heavily concentrated in developed and technologically advanced countries, including China, the United States, Australia, and several European nations. But African countries are underrepresented, with only South Africa appearing among the top contributing countries, and Nigeria absent from the leading contributors.

These identified gaps highlight significant areas where further research can improve construction project management practices through digitalization, ultimately aiming to reduce processes, increase adoption, and maximize technological benefits in Nigeria and Africa.

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector/ individuals.

Not applicable.

The author(s) declare(s) that there is no competing interest.