UMIP Inc. has released survey results showing widespread documentation gaps across commercial construction projects, contributing to delays and added costs.
The March 2026 survey of AEC design-build executives found that only 13% consider their asset documentation mostly complete, while nearly 80% report significant gaps or scattered records. Missing information is common, with many respondents encountering issues weekly or monthly.
These gaps are affecting project performance. More than 40% of respondents said missing records extended project timelines by up to 20%, while others reported even greater delays. Financial impacts are also significant, with many estimating losses of 4% to 7% of annual revenue tied to documentation inefficiencies.
Ownership transitions were identified as a major weak point, with most respondents reporting lost records during handoffs between stakeholders.
Despite the challenges, respondents expressed strong interest in solutions such as a standardized, platform-independent digital identity for building assets, signaling demand for more consistent and accessible documentation across the project lifecycle.
