Schedule Acceleration, Work Flow, and Labor Productivity
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper details how construction labor efficiency is affected by deviations from the normal flow of work. A methodology is presented to estimate the loss of labor efficiency, based on variations in the percentage of labor hours used each week. The procedure can be used without the need for contractor production records. The theoretical basis for the method rests on the assumption that the rate of manpower utilization is consistent with the amount of work available for the contractor to perform. Using productivity data from three electrical projects that were accelerated, the labor efficiency is shown to be correlated to changes in the percentages of weekly work hours. Loss of efficiency curves are developed for various project phases. A case study is presented of an actual electrical construction project. Losses of efficiency are calculated for each phase, and it is shown that the contractor incurred an estimated loss of productivity of 25%. The analysis is validated by comparing a weekly inefficient work-hour profile to the chronology of events that occurred on the project.
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References
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Conepari, J. E., and Varrone, M. J. (1995). “Application of a manual earned value system for small engineering projects.” Trans., Am. Assoc. of Cost Engrs., June 30, A-3.
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Electrical Contracting Foundation, Inc. (1996). “Strategies for minimizing the economic consequences of schedule acceleration and compression.” Index No. F9604, Bethesda, Md.
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Thomas, H. R., Arnold, T. M., and Oloufa, A. A. (1995). “Quantification of labor inefficiencies resulting from schedule compression and acceleration.” Rep. to Electr. Contracting Fndn., Bethesda, Md.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126 • Issue 4 • July 2000
Pages: 261 - 267
History
Received: Jun 1, 1999
Published online: Jul 1, 2000
Published in print: Jul 2000
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