On-Site Labor Productivity Measurement for Sustainable Construction

One of the major barriers to advancing the competitiveness of sustainable construction in the U.S. market is that "traditional" construction firms do not have accurate data on labor productivity for sustainable construction projects. This negatively impacts their ability to reliably estimate a construction project's schedule and cost. Due to the nationwide diverseness and complexity of the construction industry, labor productivity comparison is difficult. Even for conventional projects minimal research has been performed on nationwide labor productivity measurement, with most research being jobsite specific. This paper uses productivity data that has been collected on jobsites in Kansas. Using the data, various statistical analysis methods were applied to determine the productivity rate differences between two projects and compare it to data from RS Means, which is an industry standard. Statistical analysis results prove the possibility of using labor productivity to control the labor cost of a "green" project. Furthermore, the results can be used by construction firms entering any regional market as a basis for a comparative reference. Through this advancement a firm may enhance their ability to perform competitively in the sustainable construction market.