Change Orders Impact on Labor Productivity
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 131, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper describes a study conducted to investigate the impact of change orders on construction productivity and introduces a new neural network model for quantifying this impact. The study is based on a comprehensive literature review and a field investigation of projects constructed in Canada and the USA. The field investigation was carried out over a period and encompassed 33 actual cases of work packages and contracts. Factors contributing to the adverse effects of change orders on labor productivity are identified and a model presented earlier is expanded to account primarily for the timing of change orders, among other factors. The developed model, as well as four models developed by others, have been incorporated in a prototype software system to estimate the loss of labor productivity due to change orders. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the use of the developed model, and illustrate its capabilities.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge Revay and Associates Limited for providing access to the data used in this study and to thank Ms. Regula Brunies and Mr. Stephen Revay for their cooperation. The financial support provided by the Construction Industry Research Institute of Canada (CRIC) is highly appreciated.
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© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 19, 2002
Accepted: Feb 13, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2005
Published in print: Mar 2005
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