Paper diaries and digital tools can both record site events. Choose the format that fits the project, then confirm the current beta workflow before relying on LARD for capture, reporting or access.
Disclosure: LARD publishes this comparison. It is a format comparison, not a finding that one record type wins every job.
Where paper still makes sense
A paper diary is familiar, tangible and independent of a charged device or a service connection. On a small job with one person, a clear routine and secure storage, it can be the least complicated option. It also forces a useful discipline: somebody has to write the observation down.
Its trade-off is operational. Photos, emails and drawings need a cross-reference; sharing a copy takes a separate step; and legibility, storage and backup depend on the people using it. Those are process questions, not proof that a paper diary is worthless.
What changes with LARD?
A digital diary may combine notes, audio and photos, but the current beta feature set needs confirmation before it is adopted for a project. The person recording an observation still needs to say what an image shows.
Do not assume that capture, transcription, synchronisation and export are available in the same conditions. Confirm the current beta workflow before choosing it over paper.
Do not confuse format with proof
What happens to paper site diaries in disputes?
A paper diary can be relevant in a dispute, but its usefulness depends on the issue, the surrounding evidence, the record's condition and the forum. A digital record does not automatically carry more legal weight simply because it is digital.
Is digital evidence as strong as paper in Australian construction disputes?
Do not assume a digital diary is legally stronger than a paper diary, or the reverse. The relevant evidence rules, contract, provenance and facts of the dispute determine how a record is treated. Keep the original records, follow project rules and get legal advice for a live dispute.
What about access and backup?
What if I lose my phone, do I lose my diary records?
Digital access and backup should be tested before a project relies on them; a paper diary needs its own storage and backup process.
The practical choice is the one your team will actually keep complete, secure and retrievable. Run a short trial with a real daily-report template before changing the project routine.
Product features and availability can change during beta. Confirm the current workflow before relying on it for a project.
Sources and further reading
LARD's beta waitlist is the public source for current availability. Read workflow options for construction reports before choosing a process.