A blockchain and Interplanetary File System (IPFS) based project risk register for construction organizations

Construction projects are characterized by high levels of uncertainty, making effective risk management and organizational learning critical to project success. While risk registers are widely used to document and monitor project risks, conventional implementations based on centralized spreadsheets or Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) suffer from limited transparency, weak traceability, and vulnerability to unauthorized modification, constraining the development of reliable risk intelligence. To address these limitations, this study proposes a decentralized project risk register that integrates blockchain technology with the Interplanetary File System (IPFS) to enable immutable, traceable, and scalable management of risk information in construction projects. Adopting the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, the study develops a blockchain–IPFS-based prototype tailored to construction risk management processes. The system is implemented using a permissioned blockchain architecture and evaluated through an expert panel workshop involving academic and industry professionals. Evaluation is conducted using the BS EN ISO 9241-11:2018 usability framework and an extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, supported by a fuzzy Delphi method to assess expert consensus. The findings demonstrate that the proposed system enhances data integrity, transparency, accountability, and organizational learning compared to traditional risk registers, thereby supporting the formation of risk intelligence.