Mapping XR Applications in Cultural Heritage Projects: A PMBOK-Based Meta-Classification Review

This study systematically investigates how Extended Reality (XR) technologies support cultural heritage projects, yet their integration with structured project management frameworks remains poorly understood. Using a PMBOK Sixth Edition-based meta-classification framework covering process groups and knowledge areas, this research examines 127 peer-reviewed publications published between 2015 and 2025 and retrieved through the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The results identify prevailing trends, uncover research gaps, and outline future research avenues, including the finding that Virtual Reality is the dominant medium, XR use is concentrated in the Executing and Planning process groups (54.3% and 27.6% respectively), and Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is present in fewer than one-fifth of publications. Key gaps—including the near absence of Cost Management research, near-absent Initiating coverage, the complete absence in the Closing process group, and the lack of standardized HBIM workflows—point to significant opportunities for interdisciplinary research and practice. By framing these absences as concrete opportunities, this review provides a structured empirical baseline for researchers and practitioners seeking to embed XR technologies within coherent, lifecycle-oriented project management practice in cultural heritage. Exploring the Use of Generative AI in Project Management in the Built Environment in Ghana Juanita Seyram Gasu1*, Gilbert Selase Decker1, Kezia Nana Yaa Serwaa Sackey1