# The Role of Blockchain in Improving the Processes and Workflows in Construction Projects
## 4 Results and Discussion
### The Challenges of Blockchain Technologies in the Construction Industry
In addition, data storage has grown so large that maintaining backups at each node is impractical [66]. The problem can be partially solved by lightweight verification nodes, but more effective industrial solutions must be researched and designed. Moreover, the existing blockchains' faults and flaws can be addressed via multichain and sidechain technology. Furthermore, cross-chain technology can achieve interoperability and can lead to enhanced mutual confidence in the face of a variety of blockchain platforms [67]. Regulations and laws related to blockchain activities can be established and improved with extensive knowledge of the blockchain's future. Numerous countries are implementing blockchain technology and enhancing governing measures actively, including privacy concerns, deletion rights and reliability issues, internet real name and anonymization issues, and jurisdiction, decentralization, and legal application issues. Blockchain-enabled smart contracts and distributed verifiable databases have the ability to alter legal and technical limitations, as well as to create new government models. Laws such as equality and justice, however, can benefit from technology solutions by increasing their efficiency and certainty [68]. Furthermore, blockchain trust and security tools combine well with privacy protection, allowing for excellent data visibility and authorization management. Cryptocurrency is used in a safe and fair transaction procedure to increase anonymity, as well as to defend against threats such as anti-DoS and Sybil attacks. A smart contract encrypts data and ensures availability and scalability using distributed hashing methods. The blockchain fixes the issue of guiding sensitive and personal data without the involvement of a third party, as well as calculations and analyses using the actual data without releasing it [69; 70; 71]. The Use of Blockchain Technology to Resolve the Causes of Delays and Disputes in Construction Projects  
To better understand how blockchain would resolve the delays in construction projects, the causes of the delays were identified first from the literature. [PERSON] et al. [72] identified 63 causes of delays and disputes in construction projects in Saudi Arabia. The researchers carried out the surveys across five Saudi cities to represent the major construction spots. Another study conducted by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [73] was carried out in Saudi Arabia and the top contributors to delays were, amongst other things from the owners' perspective, inadequate management practices, poor communication among stakeholders, and delayed payments. The researcher stated the most common reasons behind the relays and disputes in Saudi Arabia based on a questionnaire response from 57 contractors, consultants, and owners. Furthermore, other causes were identified based on the previous papers, as shown in Table 3.  
Based on the previous revered articles that were repeatedly cited, it was possible to gain a clear understanding of the main causes of the delays and disputes in construction projects. The analysis of the collected reasons for the delays and disputes plaguing the construction projects revealed the frequency of each cause throughout the investigated literature, as shown in Table 4.  
It has been observed that many of the causes of delays and disputes can be addressed by employing blockchain technologies throughout the construction industry which poses the potential for tremendous cost savings. To better illustrate the relationship between the major reasons behind delays and disputes in the construction projects and blockchain technologies with relevant use cases, the snakey diagram was developed, as shown in Figure 6. The diagram represents how each of the previously identified issues in Table 4 can be resolved based on the analysis retrieved from the literature review. _Appl. Sci._**2021**, _11_, 8835