TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1986

Work Sampling Can Predict Unit Rate Productivity

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 112, Issue 1

Abstract

Various methods are employed to measure labor utilization during power plant construction, one of which is work sampling. Work sampling attempts to evaluate how the work force spends its time at work. This provides timely information to management in order to determine whether corrective action or detailed study is needed to achieve a higher degree of efficiency. However, the effectiveness of work sampling in demonstrating true labor performance has not been statistically verified using data collected at construction sites. This study collects 45 work sampling data points from 11 nuclear power projects and 4 fossil fuel power projects. the relationship between work sampling and productivity has been strongly supported by this statistical analysis. This study also verifies that work sampling is a good labor productivity indicator as well as a useful predictor in a productivity projection model.

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References

1.
Alfeld, L. E., “Boosting On‐Site Construction Productivity,” The Construction Specifier, Jan., 1982, pp. 60–64.
2.
American Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc., “American National Standard Z‐94,” Industrial Engineering Terminology, 1972.
3.
“The Average Family, Then and Now,” U.S. News & World Report, Nov. 21, 1983.
4.
Borcherding, J. D., and Palmeter, S. B., “Nuclear vs. Fossil Bulk Commodity and Productivity Trends: How Bad Are They?” The Edison Electric Institute Construction Committee, May 3, 1982.
5.
Borcherding, J. D., Sebastian, S. J., and Samelson, N. M., “Improving Motivation and Productivity on Large Projects,” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, ASCE, Mar., 1980.
6.
Burnham, D. C., Productivity Improvement, Columbia Univ. Press, New York, N.Y., 1973.
7.
Liou, F.‐S., “A Statistical Study on Work Sampling and Unit Rate Productivity for Power Plants,” thesis presented to the University of Texas at Austin, TX, in 1984, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
8.
Thomas, H. R., Guevara, J. M., and Gustenhoven, C. T., “Improving Productivity Estimates by Work Sampling,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, June, 1984, pp. 178–188.
9.
Weisberg, Sanford, Applied Linear Regression, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1980.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 112Issue 1March 1986
Pages: 90 - 103

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1986
Published in print: Mar 1986

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Fwu‐Shiun Liou
Asst. Prof., Program of Architectural Engrg., Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
John D. Borcherding, Members, ASCE
Assoc. Prof. of Construction Engrg. and Proj. Management Program, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705

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