Digital transformation of construction quality management: Systematic review of adoption and governance

Quality 4.0 promises to transform construction by embedding AI, robotics, IoT, blockchain, and AR/VR into quality management. This paper conducts a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 51 studies published between 2006 and 2026, examining technology applications, alignment with quality frameworks, adoption maturity, and reported outcomes. Methodological quality was appraised with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and findings were synthesised narratively using a Quality 4.0 Integration Matrix and a KPI mapping framework. Results show that evidence is concentrated at the control tier, with limited coverage of assurance and management. Adoption remains limited: despite some evidence of on-site implementation, the field is dominated by laboratory and pilot trials. Moreover, KPI reporting is largely tool-bound and rarely linked to process or outcome indicators such as non-conformance resolution or rework cost. Three conclusions follow: detection gains alone do not scale, innovations must be valued in the metrics of quality management, and governance fit determines adoption.