# The Role of Blockchain in Improving the Processes and Workflows in Construction Projects
## 5 Conclusion and Recommendations  
This study conducted a systematic literature review of previous papers with the aim to identify the potential, challenges, and use cases of blockchain in the construction industry and to explore the benefits of implementing BCTs to enhance the workflow efficiency in construction projects. The study also identified the major causes of disputes and delays in the construction industry. The identified causes of disputes and delays were used as a baseline for evaluating the most relevant solutions provided by blockchain technologies with the purpose to find applicable solutions from the literature and real-world cases to resolve the identified causes.  
The study identified five practical solutions provided by blockchain technologies to resolve the causes of disputes and delays in the construction projects including the administrative purposes, smart contracts for transactions, permanent transaction records, and permanent ownership records.  
Moreover, the study revealed that blockchain technology holds the potential to transform construction projects into more transparent and efficient enterprises by reducing or even eliminating information asymmetries between various stakeholders on a project's team. This technology could help reduce risk and improve project performance while decreasing the time it takes to complete projects by automating certain activities that are currently being handled manually or by subcontractors. However, the lack of experience to implement blockchain and the limited research on whether there can actually be benefits for specific stakeholders are limitations that may hinder the advancement of blockchain in organizations. Moreover, the construction industry has been known to be slow in adopting blockchain technological advances, especially in improving its processes and workflows. In light of the conducted research study, it is recommended that:  
1. Blockchain technologies are to be considered by concerned parties by collaboration among both public and private sectors to develop a standardized platform to provide a trusted and a commonly accessible platform to enhance the loosely regulated construction sector by utilizing its immutable records and smart contracts features.
2. Building Information Models (BIM) are to be adopted and encouraged to provide an interactive environment where all stakeholders can work together with architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals on every aspect of the project. This shall be supplemented and integrated with blockchain technologies to document all aspects of the project and track the required material as per agreed upon specifications and designs.  
Future research may focus on analyzing the capability of blockchain technologies in real life construction industries and developing simulation models to understand the theoretical and working aspects of blockchain technologies. Inputs from multi-disciplinary parties such as construction stakeholders, blockchain experts, and researches are required to advance the adoption of blockchain technology and to efficiently and successfully integrate blockchain technology with construction decentralized applications.  
Funding: This research received no external funding. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable. Data Availability Statement: It can be made available upon request to the corresponding author.  
The authors extend their gratitude to King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals for their assistance in conducting this research.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.