UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL DATA ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS MALAYSIA'S SURVEYING PROFESSIONS: A TWO ROUND DELPHI STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i44.2301Keywords:
Built environment, Delphi study, Digital data ecosystem, Malaysia, Surveying professionsAbstract
This study investigates the digital data ecosystem across Malaysia's surveying professions using a two-round Delphi study involving experts from Building Surveying, Property Surveying, Geospatial and Land Surveying, and Quantity Surveying. The first round employed semi-structured interviews with ten experts to explore professional roles, project lifecycle involvement, digital information management, and data sharing practices. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, resulting in three themes comprising seven categories. The second round involved nine independent experts who validated the findings through a structured Delphi consensus process. A total of 65 of the 69 statements achieved the predefined consensus threshold of at least 80 percent agreement, demonstrating strong expert convergence. The validated framework identifies three interconnected dimensions, namely professional roles and lifecycle involvement, data types, organisation and digital tools, and data sharing practices and cross-disciplinary exchange. The findings demonstrate that an effective digital data ecosystem depends on the integration of professional responsibilities, structured information management, and collaborative data exchange throughout the built environment lifecycle. The study provides an empirically validated framework that supports digital transformation and interdisciplinary collaboration across Malaysia's surveying professions.
Downloads
References
Abdeen, W., Wnuk, K., Unterkalmsteiner, M., & Chirtoglou, A. (2025). Challenges of requirements communication and digital assets verification in infrastructure projects. E-Informatica Software Engineering Journal, 19(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.37190/e-Inf250107
Berlato, M., Binni, L., Durmus, D., Gatto, C., Giusti, L., Cascone, S., & Mirarchi, C. (2025a). Digital platforms for the built environment: A systematic review across sectors and scales. Buildings, 15(14)(2432). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142432
Berlato, M., Binni, L., Durmus, D., Gatto, C., Giusti, L., Cascone, S., & Mirarchi, C. (2025b). Digital platforms for the built environment: A systematic review across sectors and scales. Buildings, 15(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142432
Binamungu, L. P., & Kimaro, H. C. (2025). Problematizing the determinants of success of interoperability of information systems through the lens of stakeholder theory and enterprise interoperability framework. Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 91(4), e70020. https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.70020
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529781580
Cao, W., Jiang, T., Ou, Y., & Xu, Z. (2025). Application and exploration of bridge engineering life cycle management based on digital twin In Conference Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Project Management,
Cheng, F., & Hu, Z. (2026). Impact of digital transformation on corporate performance in the construction industry. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(2). https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-17080
Jacob, C., Nandra, A., & Gupta, J. (2025). Strategic concepts, challenges, and life-cycle assessment for sustainable construction and building circularity in the real estate sector. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 5(2), 1201–1217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-024-00466-3
Li, L., Xiao, S., Liu, Z., Wu, C., & Li, S. (2025). Study of the factors influencing the life cycle cost of green buildings using SEM-SD method. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 24(3), 1860–1877. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2024.2347956
Nasa, P., Jain, R., & Juneja, D. (2021). Delphi methodology in healthcare research: How to decide its appropriateness. World J Methodol, 11(4), 116-129. https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v11.i4.116
Nashruddin, S. N. H. A. B. M., Herman, S. S., Nashruddin, S. N. A. B. M., Ismail, S., & Ling, S. M. (2024). Harnessing geographic information system (GIS) by implementing building information modelling (BIM) to improve AEC performance towards sustainable strategic planning in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia. In Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, 487, 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35828-9_23
Niu, J., Gao, H., & Yang, X. (2026). Research on engineering cost information processing and database construction based on BIM. In Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2417, 24–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-6465-8_3
Ojiako, U., Chipulu, M., Almeile, A. M., Ika, L., Bashir, H., Marshall, A., & AlRaeesi, E. J. H. (2025). Variations in critical success factors of PPP-procured construction projects over lifecycle phases. PRODUCTION PLANNING & CONTROL, 36(5), 671–698. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2023.2294310
Parece, S., Resende, R., & Rato, V. (2025). Stakeholder perspectives on BIM–LCA integration in building design: Adoption, challenges, and future directions. Building and Environment, 284(113434). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113434
Radman, K., Jelodar, M. B., Lovreglio, R., Ghazizadeh, E., & Wilkinson, S. (2025). Real-time tracking and analysis in construction projects: A RealCONs framework. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2025.103511
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia. (2021a). Constitution. Retrieved 5 December 2025 from https://rism.org.my/the-constitution-and-byelaws/
Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia. (2021b). RISM Competency Guide. Retrieved 5 December 2025 from https://rism.org.my/rism-competency-guide/
Saldana, J. (2021). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (Fourth Edition ed.). Sage.
Shakur, E. S. A., Zulkifly, U. K. Z., Hassin, M. A., & Sunandar, A. (2026). From fragmentation to integration: Developing an interdisciplinary data sharing framework for surveying practice in Malaysia’s digital built environment. Planning Malaysia, 24(4), 448–462. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2111
Sunandar, A., Abd Karim, S. B., & Zolkafli Zulkifly, U. K. (2026). Integrating ESG and sharia compliance in PPP infrastructure: Toward a conceptual framework for Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-08-2025-0542
Sunandar, A., Andriyanti, F., A., Abd Karim, S. B., & Zolkafli @Zulkifly, U. K. (2026). Examining the application of the semi-structured interview method in public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure studies. Journal of Civil Engineering, 41(1), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.12962/j25799029.v41i1.9498
Sunandar, A., Andriyanti, F., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2026). The Evolution of Minimum Revenue Guarantees (MRGs) in PPP Infrastructure Investment. Journal of Civil Engineering, 41(2), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.12962/j25799029.v41i2.10463
Sunandar, A., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2025a). Exploring a preliminary conceptual framework for integrating sharia compliance into public-private partnership (ppp) in Indonesia. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 12(3), 65-75. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v12.n3.1471
Sunandar, A., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2025b). Exploring delphi method utilization research trends on public-private partnership infrastructure studies. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Management (JIPM), 8(1), 21-40. https://doi.org/10.35166/jipm.v8i1.92
Sunandar, A., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2025c). Integrating maqasid sharia into the planning stage of public–private partnership (PPP) sharia for infrastructure development in Indonesia. Planning Malaysia, 23(4), 399-413. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1801
Sunandar, A., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2025d). Value engineering planning concept for street lighting (MYSINAR+) through the public–private partnership (PPP) scheme. Planning Malaysia, 23(4), 748-762. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1824
Sunandar, A., Karim, S. B. A., & Zulkifly, U. K. Z. (2026). Sharia public–private partnerships infrastructure in Indonesia: A framework for the operational phase. Built Environment Journal, 23(2), 467–482. https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.8973
Swe Myat, K., & Malla, V. (2026). Toward the definition of best practices in collaboration for digital transformation in construction. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 18(1), 04525069. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1247
Yin, H. (2025). Construction project information system management framework strategy based on version control and collaboration. International Journal of Construction Management, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2025.2542912
Zarghani, M., Nemati-Anaraki, L., Sedghi, S., Chakoli, A. N., & Rowhani-Farid, A. (2024). Design and validation of a conceptual model regarding impact of open science on healthcare research processes. BMC Health Serv Res, 24(1), 309. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10764-z
Zohourian, M., Pamidimukkala, A., & Kermanshachi, S. (2026). Artificial intelligence in the construction industry: A comprehensive review of benefits and challenges. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 18(1), 04525081. https://doi.org/10.1061/JLADAH.LADR-1397
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
