# Engineering the Future: Evaluation of Virtual Reality Across Project Lifecycle Stages
## 2 Literature Review
### VR in Education, Training and Communication  
Recent literature demonstrates the growing relevance of VR implementation across diverse sectors. These applications provide further insight into how immersive environments contribute to performance, training, and collaboration in various contexts. VR has gained significant traction in both educational and industrial settings, transforming knowledge delivery, skill acquisition, and system design. A large-scale systematic review by [PERSON] et al. [43] compared VR-based learning to traditional instruction across 71 higher education studies. The findings demonstrated that VR environments foster improved engagement and learning outcomes, particularly in STEM and health-related disciplines, where visualization and simulation of abstract or complex systems are critical. In the realm of engineering education, [PERSON] et al. [44] implemented VR laboratory modules in undergraduate electronics courses and found significant improvement in students' comprehension and problem-solving capabilities. Similarly, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [45] reviewed XR applications in applied sciences, concluding that AR is particularly useful for visualizingabstract phenomena, while VR and MR excel in simulating hazardous or complex scenarios, offering safe and experiential learning opportunities. VR has also shown promise in industrial skills training. A comprehensive review by [PERSON] et al. [46] emphasized VR's potential for autonomous and remote training in manufacturing and assembly tasks, though it highlighted design-related challenges like cybersickness and limited haptic feedback. Reinforcing this, [PERSON] et al. [47] analyzed XR applications in manufacturing and found that these technologies bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering scalable and risk-free training environments for students and professionals. [PERSON] et al. [44] further support this perspective, showing that VR-enhanced labs in engineering curricula improve technical comprehension and increase student confidence and engagement. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [45] further emphasized the value of XR in applied science education, especially in simulating hazardous industrial scenarios in a safe and immersive manner. Healthcare education has also embraced immersive technologies. A meta-analysis by [PERSON] et al. [48] of 45 randomized controlled trials demonstrated that VR interventions lead to measurable improvements in clinical knowledge and procedural skills, with participants reporting higher satisfaction and confidence levels. This supports VR's role as a supplement to conventional training, especially when logistical or ethical constraints limit real-world practice. Similarly, [PERSON] & [PERSON] [49] reviewed over 300 studies on the effectiveness of VR training across various professional settings. They proposed a five-point framework to improve consistency in evaluating outcomes and emphasized that VR generally leads to improved knowledge retention and skill acquisition--particularly when combined with feedback mechanisms and interactive design. [PERSON] et al. [50] reinforce this trend, emphasizing that VR-based experiential learning models support soft-skill development and behavioral transfer. Their systematic review highlighted that VR enhances user engagement and provides safe, controlled environments for rehearsing complex interpersonal scenarios, such as conflict resolution and leadership communication. These immersive settings improved emotional regulation and increased participants' confidence in real-world professional interactions. While short-term learning outcomes dominate much of the literature, [PERSON] et al. [51] have called for more robust evaluation frameworks, citing a lack of studies measuring behavioral transfer and real-world impact. They advocated for longitudinal studies that assess whether VR training leads to sustained performance improvements on the job. VR is also making an impact in social and behavioral skill training. [PERSON] et al.