DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF QA/QC PROCESSES IN SAUDI GIGA-PROJECTS: ENHANCING COMPLIANCE, TRACEABILITY, AND PROJECT DELIVERY PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Saudi Arabia's giga-projects are redefining the scale, complexity, and delivery expectations of the built environment under Vision 2030. Projects such as NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya, Red Sea Global, ROSHN, major transport corridors, airports, tunnels, and luxury mixed-use districts require quality assurance and quality control systems that are faster, more traceable, and more predictive than traditional paper-based inspection models. This review paper examines how the digital transformation of QA/QC processes can enhance compliance, traceability, and project delivery performance in Saudi giga-projects. Drawing on recent literature on construction quality management, Quality 4.0, Building Information Modelling, common data environments, digital twins, mobile inspection platforms, IoT-enabled sensing, laser scanning, computer vision, and blockchain-enabled audit trails, the paper develops a conceptual framework for moving construction quality from document control toward data-driven quality governance. The proposed framework connects ISO 9001:2015 principles, risk-based quality planning, inspection and test plan execution, work inspection requests, material approval processes, non-conformance reporting, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, supplier quality assurance, and handover documentation within a unified digital ecosystem. The paper argues that digital QA/QC should not be viewed only as software adoption; it should be implemented as a socio-technical governance model involving leadership accountability, standardised data structures, role-based workflows, cybersecurity controls, stakeholder collaboration, and continuous improvement. The expected contributions are threefold: first, a Saudi Vision 2030-aligned research synthesis for quality governance in mega infrastructure; second, a practical digital QA/QC implementation roadmap for client, PMC, consultant, and contractor organisations; and third, a performance measurement model linking digital quality practices to reduced rework, faster NCR closure, improved compliance visibility, and stronger project handover readiness.