Developing a framework for integrating value management and total quality management in construction projects: a systematic literature review with narrative synthesis

The construction industry continues to experience persistent delivery problems, including cost overruns, schedule delays, quality failures and inefficient resource use. Although value management (VM) and total quality management (TQM) are widely recognised as approaches for improving project performance, the literature remains fragmented regarding their application and integration in construction practice. This study therefore synthesises the literature on VM and TQM and develops a conceptual framework for their integration. A systematic literature review with narrative synthesis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach. The review covered studies published between 1994 and 2026 and included 102 eligible articles. The findings indicate that TQM is the more mature and institutionally embedded field, whereas VM remains comparatively under-adopted and is discussed mainly in relation to implementation barriers, gaps and critical success factors. These barriers extend beyond technical limitations to include organisational, cultural, institutional and governance constraints. Digital enablers, including building information modelling (BIM), digital twins, AI-driven decision support and Industry 4.0 systems, also create opportunities to connect value analysis, quality monitoring and performance feedback across the project lifecycle. Based on these findings, the study proposes the Integrated Value–Quality System (IVQS), which links VM-derived value priorities with TQM quality criteria, delivery processes and continuous-improvement routines through enabling conditions, integration mechanisms and feedback loops. The framework adds value by providing a construction-specific and context-sensitive architecture for translating strategic value objectives into operational quality delivery.