Alan J. McNamara, Sara Shirowzhan, Samad M. E. Sepasgozar
Purpose This study identifies and validates opportunities for automation of problematic construction contract administrative tasks and processes. Through the evaluation of identified automation opportunities, system features are proposed and prioritised to form a development roadmap for future intelligent contract (iContract) creation and evolution. Design/methodology/approach This study applies a qualitative approach to draw on experienced construction practitioners with direct knowledge of contract administration practices. Thematic mapping and co-occurrence analysis of interview data identify “Contract Process Automation Opportunities” (CPAOs) which are then evaluated and prioritised to inform a development roadmap. Findings The study establishes ten evaluation criteria, specific to contract processes and identifies eight novel CPAOs. Ten iContract system features, along with the technological and environment requirements to facilitate development, are then synthesised into the novel iContract development roadmap. Research limitations/implications An “iContract system requirements identification model” is developed by adapting established process automation theoretical frameworks. This guided the structured selection of suitable automatable contractual processes, based on both theoretical and practical insights. The roadmap offers a practical guide for iContract developers for an initial artefact and future researchers aiming to overcome the evolutionary challenges highlighted. Practical implications The roadmap offers a practical guide for iContract developers for an initial artefact and future researchers aiming to overcome the evolutionary challenges highlighted. Originality/value This study contributes a unique and founding iContract system development roadmap, in an embryonic field, that has been borne and validated by industry practitioners. It identifies the initial functions to successfully develop an iContract artefact and highlights the evolution of the concept towards an autonomous solution.