Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis In Construction Project

The construction sector has seen a lot of changes over the last few decades. With buildings becoming taller and more complex, there must be an analysis of productivity growth to ensure that projects are completed on time and under budget.

In this article, we will discuss some significant benefits of productivity analysis for construction projects. We will also do a deep dive of sorts and explore the factors surrounding the productivity analysis process.

So, are you ready to start?

What is Productivity Analysis?

What is Productivity Analysis?

To better understand the topic, we need to start with the basics. The purpose of a productivity analysis is to review and analyse how project managers and planners are completing their tasks. Incorporating a productivity analysis aids in determining what tasks or processes take up more time than they should.

Productivity analysis has many benefits, including ensuring projects stay on time and under budget and making employees happier. This positive reaction stems from the fact that they have more specific expectations about how long it will take them to complete a particular work.

Productivity analysis also helps maintain accurate records since you’re not guessing who’s been working on what task all week. You’ll know precisely how long a person was assigned to a task, what the task was, and whether he/she was successful in working or completing the task.

Project managers, schedulers and planners determine each project’s sequence or schedule using all of these statistics. The purpose is to ensure that each doesn’t go over budget or become too delayed.

Why is project Productivity Analysis critical to a construction project?

The main problem of a construction project is inefficiency – which then becomes risks, and then unto its physical manifestation, which is delays.

Once a delay happens, the entire project becomes affected. That, in turn, can lead to more inefficiencies – creating a loop that can send a project over budget and not hit its completion schedule.

Productivity Analysis is a great way to identify these inefficiencies and then eliminate them before they happen, saving time and money.

A productivity analysis of construction projects can reduce or eliminate construction project risks and help the company save money, time, and resources.

Conducting a productivity analysis works like an early warning signal. It provides project managers with up to date data, allowing them to detect construction inefficiencies and mitigate them before they happen.

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Everything written below is all the potential issues a detailed productivity analysis can fix.

Obsolete technology

Unless you’re just building a one storey house, the technology you use to communicate with other team members plays a crucial role in a construction project. Since most high profile job sites cover a large area, communication tools are a necessity.

Sadly, some construction projects still rely on pen and paper and handheld radios to transfer information and communicate. Though they can still work, they are obsolete compared to modern communication tools, making them inefficient.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help gauge the efficiency of using said tools and how more efficient a project can become if the worksite team moves to use modern technology to communicate and transfer information to one another.

Communication issues

Project site communication is not just limited to tools used to communicate. It also pertains to the transfer of information between parties and how quickly said information is sent and received.

A productivity analysis can pinpoint inefficiencies in how information gets transferred between one team member to the other.

The information gathered can then be used to recommend better means of disseminating information – and what modern platforms will fit a specific work team.

Coordination issues

Coordination has to do with efficiently making a large number of people work as one unit.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help iron out any inefficiencies in how teams work alongside others. And if you add a detailed project scheduling and planning system into the mix, you’ll then be able to have a road map of what each team needs to do – and when it needs doing.

Inefficient use of time

Productivity analysis is a way to maximise time and reduce risks for construction projects. A productivity analysis identifies the leading causes of wasted time, like inefficient schedules or tools being unavailable when they are needed.

It also identifies ways to decrease work-related injuries by providing workers with safe equipment that matches their skill level.

Productivity analysis provides contractors with an opportunity to meet deadlines without fear of costing overruns because it reduces errors in scheduling and decreases the likelihood of running out of materials before the project is complete. In other words, this saves money on labour costs, which would otherwise go to working overtime due to a lack of efficiency in other areas during the production timelines.

Poor task briefing

To do a job right, a person needs to be good at it, understand what the task’s goal is, and have the know-how to complete said objectives.

Productivity analysis mitigates this risk by providing a clear context for each task. The data gathered during productivity analysis gives an accurate overview of what tasks are necessary, when their completion time is and how long each one will take to complete.

In short, it does two things: it tells you exactly what needs to get done to finish up on time and within budget, and it helps craftspeople identify where their strengths lie so that they can do more of what they’re good at – which saves everyone time!

The most significant impact of productivity analysis is the elimination of the factors we just mentioned. Without said factors at play, project efficiency increases across all departments within the worksite. This leads to faster completion times with less risk involved!

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

Aside from the ones we mentioned a while back, other factors affect and impact the productivity of a construction site.

Below are some of the most common factors.

Workforce

Staffing is one of the most critical factors in the success of a project.

When there are not enough workers assigned to a task, productivity growth decreases significantly and becomes prone to delays.

To avoid this, managers need to ensure sufficient labour resources on hand, so each team member has equal tasks throughout the workday or week.

With more people working on a task at once, it will take less time to complete. This makes better use of everyone’s skill set, maximising their effectiveness in meeting duties within an appropriate time frame.

Some construction firms don’t bother with hiring a competent workforce when handling a project. Instead, they concentrate on hiring good architects, project engineers, planners, schedulers, and site managers.

Though having a competent senior project team do help, it’s not enough.

The key to any successful construction project has a competent workforce that can execute the jobs given to them with precision, speed and without compromising quality.

The allocation of human resources also plays a crucial role in increasing the productivity growth level of a project.

This is so because it helps the project managers fully utilise their workforce by assigning them to specific tasks.

Workload allocation works in a way that each worker works and completes only one task at a time and not work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

These tasks usually involve manual labour or repetitive work, which does not require much thinking from the person doing it. This contrasts intellectual work (like what construction planner and schedulers do), which requires high-level skill sets like analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.

Productivity analysis can help identify tasks where jobsite productivity levels need improvement. It can also pinpoint areas where automation may be an option worth exploring.

Use of equipment and machinery

Yes, anyone can train to use construction equipment and machinery.

But compared to leveraging an individual who is already adept at using said tools, the efficiency and productivity of using said tools to complete a task are exponentially increased.

Generally speaking, a certain level of expertise and knowledge comes with being trained to use particular tools.

In the context of construction, this means knowing how to operate machinery in dangerous environments without endangering oneself or others around them. It also means understanding how different types of equipment work together as part of a more extensive system.

Moreover, suppose you have an expert on your team capable of maintaining specific construction equipment (like power tools, for example). In that case, they will ascertain when a said tool needs servicing before there’s any damage done – which translates into less time lost while waiting for specialist assistance from outside sources.

Time management

Time management in a construction project is crucial. It can determine how much time a particular task demands.

Constructing buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects will necessitate that the design team account for certain things like safety regulations or municipal restrictions before construction starts.

Likewise, it will be necessary to know the type of material used (whether it’s steel beams or cement) and its weight/size. This is so managers can allocate the workforce accordingly. Efficiency means that you don’t want more people than what is needed working on any given task.

Also, effective time management entails:

Inspecting raw materials is essential since it can influence the time it takes to complete a project.

For example, suppose you don’t inspect steel beams. In that case, they could have cracks or other flaws that will require fixing or replacement at some point during construction. This could lead to delays in completing your construction projects and additional expenses.

Testing materials before installation – when installing different materials to complete a task, said materials should undergo durability or stress testings. Efficiency goes hand in hand with competence. So as a project manager, you want all your project materials performing according to specifications. That way, if something breaks during installation, then you can get replacements quickly.

Production time frame – refers to establishing when a specific project starts and when it needs to end. The proper management of this factor entails having a timeline in place with enough time to do the job right but not too much time to allow for delays or changes.

Inspecting completed tasks – which is key to the overall quality of your project. For example, if you don’t check the drywall and find out if it needs to be patched or smoothed over, this could lead to an unprofessional look for that part of the building.

Safety checks – these are crucial since you want all our workers to come home safe every day! This is important not just during the construction phase but also after project completion when any materials left on construction sites need tidying up. Some construction contractors will bring garbage bins and extra trash bags with them before they even begin work, so nothing gets missed at the end. We strongly recommend implementing a safety training course for all project members before the start of a project.

How to measure construction productivity?

Construction jobsite productivity can be measured using processes and procedures like:

Field rating

Field rating is the process of measuring the speed and skills of a construction worker.

This will help determine how productive they are; and is often used as an incentive to keep up good work, rewarding those who work hard with more paychecks! It’s also a way for employers to identify workers who need additional training to develop their skills.

You could have multiple teams working on different areas of your project at once. And if one team isn’t pulling its weight, it might affect everyone else too – which we don’t want since we’re trying to get things done quickly and efficiently!

To collect a random field rating sample, you should use at least four or five workers. This ensures you’re getting a good representation of all the different skills required in your project.

If you have an uneven distribution of skill levels, it’ll affect how accurate this assessment can be. If one worker is much more skilled at doing the same job than his peers, he might not get rated accurately based on their actual abilities.

The formula you need to retrieve field test data is:

Field rating = total observations of work/total number of observations + 10% (which accounts for worker supervision)

Work sampling

Work sampling in the construction industry pertains to how productive an employee is in a specific job.

It provides employers with a more accurate way to identify which skills they should be developing and what training might be necessary.

The main goal of work sampling is to measure how much time an individual spends on different tasks, such as installing wallboard or pouring concrete.

The rating can then be used to determine salary adjustments for similar construction projects in the future. This allows you to gauge someone’s skill level accurately by comparing their productivity against other workers on related jobs.

Five-minute rating

A five-minute rating is an act of observing how a worker operates within a short period of time.

A senior project member usually does this type of rating to determine if the worker’s skill level on a given day falls within an acceptable range for that particular task.

It can also allow the company to identify training needs and improve productivity through coaching techniques or introducing new technologies into their work process.

The practice is primarily subjective and is not always accurate. Still, it can be a great way of determining which skills need development over others – this provides employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, other ways of measuring construction productivity are:

  • Observing daily progress.
  • Tracking the number of hours spent on a task.
  • Monitoring an individual’s workload.

  • Monitoring how resources are allocated and used.

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

It is essential to establish the context before providing an answer to this question.

When a person asks about the significant benefits of using productivity analysis on a construction project, that person is referring to two separate scenarios.

One answer pertains to the measure of human productivity (workforce) and the other towards general project productivity.

The first talking point focuses on human productivity, namely output of quality and quantity. As a metric, it helps eliminate wasted time spent doing non-essential tasks, increasing efficiency, reducing costs (overall higher return on investment), and improving safety by minimising exposure to injuries.

The talking point encompasses all aspects of project productivity – which has even more advantages. It includes metrics like cost-effectiveness and accuracy, time management for processes where deadlines impose consequences, methodology improvement with better documentation throughout the construction stages, and improving communication between employees working on different parts of the same project.

In summary, both methods have significant benefits, but each one provides different solutions from the other in the construction field.

So with that out of the way, let’s first tackle the human productivity aspect.

Benefits of using productivity analysis to improve workforce productivity

  • Help identify which tasks should have more importance.
  • Provide employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

So why is it important to identify what construction task to prioritise, you ask?

When project managers prioritise tasks effectively, they can decide which tasks need more attention and time.

Tasks can either have a high return on investment or need prioritisation because of their importance.

And how do project managers which task to prioritise?

First, the project manager can use data from productivity analyses and compare them with inputted time records for each task.

Second, a list of priorities could also come from an outside source, such as a client or contractor that details the project’s entire timeline. This will give the project manager an idea of how the project should progress, thus allowing him/her to sequence tasks effectively.

Third, suppose there is not enough information available about the priority of tasks. In that case, managers need to make educated guesses based on factors like job safety – or anything that may affect performance rates and duration. This is to determine which task has the highest return on investment rate.

Why is it important for project managers to know what they need from future hires?

Many project managers need to know what they can expect from future hires. The purpose is to understand how to use them on different work teams efficiently.

The three things that construction companies typically need are human resources, equipment and materials.

Staffing is often more difficult than either of the other two because there is a higher demand for skilled labour.

If you know how much work you’re expecting to get done for a project or task, this could considerably help narrow your search.

Conducting a productivity analysis on a workforce would indicate what skill sets might be most useful when hiring new staff members. This could be for a future project or to complete an upcoming task on your current project.

For instance, if you’re hiring someone for carpentry work, that person should have extensive experience with woodworking tools such as hammers and saws.

These items can’t be used by those who don’t have the proper training or knowledge to use them. So you shouldn’t hire team members without this crucial information ahead of time!

Are you following everything so far?

If yes, then let’s tackle this.

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the ‘project side’ of things

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the 'project side' of things

#1 It helps determine performance and productivity goals

Performance and productivity goals pertain to the factors that increase the value you get from work done over a certain amount of time.

Knowledge – which allows tasks to finish faster.

Automation – which reduces the need of a human worker to complete a task.

Tools – understanding what tools can help improve the completion of a task with compromising quality.

Process improvement – the ability to streamline processes and methodologies.

Outsourcing – getting specialised help to complete a task faster.

#2 It helps you get rid of non-value-added activities

This is self-explanatory as getting rid of any non-value-added activities eliminates unnecessary tasks that may be eating up project funding.

Using productivity analysis allows you to estimate how much time and money you are spending on non-value-added activities. That is one of the most valuable benefits of performance and productivity analysis.

A thorough study of performance and productivity data helps project managers develop better plans for future projects and see what areas hold the project team back from being more productive. It will also allow managers to see what areas could be optimised or reworked.

You see, delegating people to other projects may take up their time without them even realising it until later. This way, you know precisely where resources should go instead of guessing which ones you should allot resources to.

This is also a precious data asset for any construction business to perform.

Research has shown that 43% of American businesses are productivity-focused and that maintaining a highly productive system accounts for 85% of all profits.

#4 Ability to factually assess current operations

The ability to factually assess current operations is a critical component of any construction company. This allows companies to know if they are doing the best job or need a change to improve their business practices.

Productivity analysis has proven its ability to save money and time by identifying problem areas before getting wastage gets out of hand.

#5 A way to recommend the most efficient way to complete a task

Productivity analysis can recommend the most efficient way to complete a task by using an analytical framework.

This entails identifying the tasks needed to complete the project – sequenced in order of importance.

We can identify areas where time may be wasted and provide recommendations on allocating resources given their availability.

As a result, it is easier for project managers to ensure no productivity or quality control issues due to poor management of human resources.

In conclusion

The use of productivity analysis is common practice for premier construction firms throughout the world.

It’s a great approach to ensure that a project goes smoothly and efficiently.

The analytical framework that a project productivity analysis provides helps identify areas where time may be wasted and provides recommendations on how best to allocate resources given their availability.

This technique also ensures that there are no issues with site productivity or quality control due to substandard human resources management – leading to increased costs and overshooting project completion dates.

Do take note that it can be pretty challenging to manage resources and time.

That is why project managers and construction contractors must use every technique available at their disposal.

And yes, this includes project productivity analysis.

We at RPMS would be more than happy to personally explain to you the right approach, techniques, and processes on how to go about doing a project productivity analysis – as well as the proper implementation of your findings.

Send us an email, or give us a call now and ask how we can help you.

Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis In Construction Project

The construction sector has seen a lot of changes over the last few decades. With buildings becoming taller and more complex, there must be an analysis of productivity growth to ensure that projects are completed on time and under budget.

In this article, we will discuss some significant benefits of productivity analysis for construction projects. We will also do a deep dive of sorts and explore the factors surrounding the productivity analysis process.

So, are you ready to start?

What is Productivity Analysis?

What is Productivity Analysis?

To better understand the topic, we need to start with the basics. The purpose of a productivity analysis is to review and analyse how project managers and planners are completing their tasks. Incorporating a productivity analysis aids in determining what tasks or processes take up more time than they should.

Productivity analysis has many benefits, including ensuring projects stay on time and under budget and making employees happier. This positive reaction stems from the fact that they have more specific expectations about how long it will take them to complete a particular work.

Productivity analysis also helps maintain accurate records since you’re not guessing who’s been working on what task all week. You’ll know precisely how long a person was assigned to a task, what the task was, and whether he/she was successful in working or completing the task.

Project managers, schedulers and planners determine each project’s sequence or schedule using all of these statistics. The purpose is to ensure that each doesn’t go over budget or become too delayed.

Why is project Productivity Analysis critical to a construction project?

The main problem of a construction project is inefficiency – which then becomes risks, and then unto its physical manifestation, which is delays.

Once a delay happens, the entire project becomes affected. That, in turn, can lead to more inefficiencies – creating a loop that can send a project over budget and not hit its completion schedule.

Productivity Analysis is a great way to identify these inefficiencies and then eliminate them before they happen, saving time and money.

A productivity analysis of construction projects can reduce or eliminate construction project risks and help the company save money, time, and resources.

Conducting a productivity analysis works like an early warning signal. It provides project managers with up to date data, allowing them to detect construction inefficiencies and mitigate them before they happen.

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Everything written below is all the potential issues a detailed productivity analysis can fix.

Obsolete technology

Unless you’re just building a one storey house, the technology you use to communicate with other team members plays a crucial role in a construction project. Since most high profile job sites cover a large area, communication tools are a necessity.

Sadly, some construction projects still rely on pen and paper and handheld radios to transfer information and communicate. Though they can still work, they are obsolete compared to modern communication tools, making them inefficient.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help gauge the efficiency of using said tools and how more efficient a project can become if the worksite team moves to use modern technology to communicate and transfer information to one another.

Communication issues

Project site communication is not just limited to tools used to communicate. It also pertains to the transfer of information between parties and how quickly said information is sent and received.

A productivity analysis can pinpoint inefficiencies in how information gets transferred between one team member to the other.

The information gathered can then be used to recommend better means of disseminating information – and what modern platforms will fit a specific work team.

Coordination issues

Coordination has to do with efficiently making a large number of people work as one unit.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help iron out any inefficiencies in how teams work alongside others. And if you add a detailed project scheduling and planning system into the mix, you’ll then be able to have a road map of what each team needs to do – and when it needs doing.

Inefficient use of time

Productivity analysis is a way to maximise time and reduce risks for construction projects. A productivity analysis identifies the leading causes of wasted time, like inefficient schedules or tools being unavailable when they are needed.

It also identifies ways to decrease work-related injuries by providing workers with safe equipment that matches their skill level.

Productivity analysis provides contractors with an opportunity to meet deadlines without fear of costing overruns because it reduces errors in scheduling and decreases the likelihood of running out of materials before the project is complete. In other words, this saves money on labour costs, which would otherwise go to working overtime due to a lack of efficiency in other areas during the production timelines.

Poor task briefing

To do a job right, a person needs to be good at it, understand what the task’s goal is, and have the know-how to complete said objectives.

Productivity analysis mitigates this risk by providing a clear context for each task. The data gathered during productivity analysis gives an accurate overview of what tasks are necessary, when their completion time is and how long each one will take to complete.

In short, it does two things: it tells you exactly what needs to get done to finish up on time and within budget, and it helps craftspeople identify where their strengths lie so that they can do more of what they’re good at – which saves everyone time!

The most significant impact of productivity analysis is the elimination of the factors we just mentioned. Without said factors at play, project efficiency increases across all departments within the worksite. This leads to faster completion times with less risk involved!

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

Aside from the ones we mentioned a while back, other factors affect and impact the productivity of a construction site.

Below are some of the most common factors.

Workforce

Staffing is one of the most critical factors in the success of a project.

When there are not enough workers assigned to a task, productivity growth decreases significantly and becomes prone to delays.

To avoid this, managers need to ensure sufficient labour resources on hand, so each team member has equal tasks throughout the workday or week.

With more people working on a task at once, it will take less time to complete. This makes better use of everyone’s skill set, maximising their effectiveness in meeting duties within an appropriate time frame.

Some construction firms don’t bother with hiring a competent workforce when handling a project. Instead, they concentrate on hiring good architects, project engineers, planners, schedulers, and site managers.

Though having a competent senior project team do help, it’s not enough.

The key to any successful construction project has a competent workforce that can execute the jobs given to them with precision, speed and without compromising quality.

The allocation of human resources also plays a crucial role in increasing the productivity growth level of a project.

This is so because it helps the project managers fully utilise their workforce by assigning them to specific tasks.

Workload allocation works in a way that each worker works and completes only one task at a time and not work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

These tasks usually involve manual labour or repetitive work, which does not require much thinking from the person doing it. This contrasts intellectual work (like what construction planner and schedulers do), which requires high-level skill sets like analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.

Productivity analysis can help identify tasks where jobsite productivity levels need improvement. It can also pinpoint areas where automation may be an option worth exploring.

Use of equipment and machinery

Yes, anyone can train to use construction equipment and machinery.

But compared to leveraging an individual who is already adept at using said tools, the efficiency and productivity of using said tools to complete a task are exponentially increased.

Generally speaking, a certain level of expertise and knowledge comes with being trained to use particular tools.

In the context of construction, this means knowing how to operate machinery in dangerous environments without endangering oneself or others around them. It also means understanding how different types of equipment work together as part of a more extensive system.

Moreover, suppose you have an expert on your team capable of maintaining specific construction equipment (like power tools, for example). In that case, they will ascertain when a said tool needs servicing before there’s any damage done – which translates into less time lost while waiting for specialist assistance from outside sources.

Time management

Time management in a construction project is crucial. It can determine how much time a particular task demands.

Constructing buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects will necessitate that the design team account for certain things like safety regulations or municipal restrictions before construction starts.

Likewise, it will be necessary to know the type of material used (whether it’s steel beams or cement) and its weight/size. This is so managers can allocate the workforce accordingly. Efficiency means that you don’t want more people than what is needed working on any given task.

Also, effective time management entails:

Inspecting raw materials is essential since it can influence the time it takes to complete a project.

For example, suppose you don’t inspect steel beams. In that case, they could have cracks or other flaws that will require fixing or replacement at some point during construction. This could lead to delays in completing your construction projects and additional expenses.

Testing materials before installation – when installing different materials to complete a task, said materials should undergo durability or stress testings. Efficiency goes hand in hand with competence. So as a project manager, you want all your project materials performing according to specifications. That way, if something breaks during installation, then you can get replacements quickly.

Production time frame – refers to establishing when a specific project starts and when it needs to end. The proper management of this factor entails having a timeline in place with enough time to do the job right but not too much time to allow for delays or changes.

Inspecting completed tasks – which is key to the overall quality of your project. For example, if you don’t check the drywall and find out if it needs to be patched or smoothed over, this could lead to an unprofessional look for that part of the building.

Safety checks – these are crucial since you want all our workers to come home safe every day! This is important not just during the construction phase but also after project completion when any materials left on construction sites need tidying up. Some construction contractors will bring garbage bins and extra trash bags with them before they even begin work, so nothing gets missed at the end. We strongly recommend implementing a safety training course for all project members before the start of a project.

How to measure construction productivity?

Construction jobsite productivity can be measured using processes and procedures like:

Field rating

Field rating is the process of measuring the speed and skills of a construction worker.

This will help determine how productive they are; and is often used as an incentive to keep up good work, rewarding those who work hard with more paychecks! It’s also a way for employers to identify workers who need additional training to develop their skills.

You could have multiple teams working on different areas of your project at once. And if one team isn’t pulling its weight, it might affect everyone else too – which we don’t want since we’re trying to get things done quickly and efficiently!

To collect a random field rating sample, you should use at least four or five workers. This ensures you’re getting a good representation of all the different skills required in your project.

If you have an uneven distribution of skill levels, it’ll affect how accurate this assessment can be. If one worker is much more skilled at doing the same job than his peers, he might not get rated accurately based on their actual abilities.

The formula you need to retrieve field test data is:

Field rating = total observations of work/total number of observations + 10% (which accounts for worker supervision)

Work sampling

Work sampling in the construction industry pertains to how productive an employee is in a specific job.

It provides employers with a more accurate way to identify which skills they should be developing and what training might be necessary.

The main goal of work sampling is to measure how much time an individual spends on different tasks, such as installing wallboard or pouring concrete.

The rating can then be used to determine salary adjustments for similar construction projects in the future. This allows you to gauge someone’s skill level accurately by comparing their productivity against other workers on related jobs.

Five-minute rating

A five-minute rating is an act of observing how a worker operates within a short period of time.

A senior project member usually does this type of rating to determine if the worker’s skill level on a given day falls within an acceptable range for that particular task.

It can also allow the company to identify training needs and improve productivity through coaching techniques or introducing new technologies into their work process.

The practice is primarily subjective and is not always accurate. Still, it can be a great way of determining which skills need development over others – this provides employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, other ways of measuring construction productivity are:

  • Observing daily progress.
  • Tracking the number of hours spent on a task.
  • Monitoring an individual’s workload.

  • Monitoring how resources are allocated and used.

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

It is essential to establish the context before providing an answer to this question.

When a person asks about the significant benefits of using productivity analysis on a construction project, that person is referring to two separate scenarios.

One answer pertains to the measure of human productivity (workforce) and the other towards general project productivity.

The first talking point focuses on human productivity, namely output of quality and quantity. As a metric, it helps eliminate wasted time spent doing non-essential tasks, increasing efficiency, reducing costs (overall higher return on investment), and improving safety by minimising exposure to injuries.

The talking point encompasses all aspects of project productivity – which has even more advantages. It includes metrics like cost-effectiveness and accuracy, time management for processes where deadlines impose consequences, methodology improvement with better documentation throughout the construction stages, and improving communication between employees working on different parts of the same project.

In summary, both methods have significant benefits, but each one provides different solutions from the other in the construction field.

So with that out of the way, let’s first tackle the human productivity aspect.

Benefits of using productivity analysis to improve workforce productivity

  • Help identify which tasks should have more importance.
  • Provide employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

So why is it important to identify what construction task to prioritise, you ask?

When project managers prioritise tasks effectively, they can decide which tasks need more attention and time.

Tasks can either have a high return on investment or need prioritisation because of their importance.

And how do project managers which task to prioritise?

First, the project manager can use data from productivity analyses and compare them with inputted time records for each task.

Second, a list of priorities could also come from an outside source, such as a client or contractor that details the project’s entire timeline. This will give the project manager an idea of how the project should progress, thus allowing him/her to sequence tasks effectively.

Third, suppose there is not enough information available about the priority of tasks. In that case, managers need to make educated guesses based on factors like job safety – or anything that may affect performance rates and duration. This is to determine which task has the highest return on investment rate.

Why is it important for project managers to know what they need from future hires?

Many project managers need to know what they can expect from future hires. The purpose is to understand how to use them on different work teams efficiently.

The three things that construction companies typically need are human resources, equipment and materials.

Staffing is often more difficult than either of the other two because there is a higher demand for skilled labour.

If you know how much work you’re expecting to get done for a project or task, this could considerably help narrow your search.

Conducting a productivity analysis on a workforce would indicate what skill sets might be most useful when hiring new staff members. This could be for a future project or to complete an upcoming task on your current project.

For instance, if you’re hiring someone for carpentry work, that person should have extensive experience with woodworking tools such as hammers and saws.

These items can’t be used by those who don’t have the proper training or knowledge to use them. So you shouldn’t hire team members without this crucial information ahead of time!

Are you following everything so far?

If yes, then let’s tackle this.

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the ‘project side’ of things

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the 'project side' of things

#1 It helps determine performance and productivity goals

Performance and productivity goals pertain to the factors that increase the value you get from work done over a certain amount of time.

Knowledge – which allows tasks to finish faster.

Automation – which reduces the need of a human worker to complete a task.

Tools – understanding what tools can help improve the completion of a task with compromising quality.

Process improvement – the ability to streamline processes and methodologies.

Outsourcing – getting specialised help to complete a task faster.

#2 It helps you get rid of non-value-added activities

This is self-explanatory as getting rid of any non-value-added activities eliminates unnecessary tasks that may be eating up project funding.

Using productivity analysis allows you to estimate how much time and money you are spending on non-value-added activities. That is one of the most valuable benefits of performance and productivity analysis.

A thorough study of performance and productivity data helps project managers develop better plans for future projects and see what areas hold the project team back from being more productive. It will also allow managers to see what areas could be optimised or reworked.

You see, delegating people to other projects may take up their time without them even realising it until later. This way, you know precisely where resources should go instead of guessing which ones you should allot resources to.

This is also a precious data asset for any construction business to perform.

Research has shown that 43% of American businesses are productivity-focused and that maintaining a highly productive system accounts for 85% of all profits.

#4 Ability to factually assess current operations

The ability to factually assess current operations is a critical component of any construction company. This allows companies to know if they are doing the best job or need a change to improve their business practices.

Productivity analysis has proven its ability to save money and time by identifying problem areas before getting wastage gets out of hand.

#5 A way to recommend the most efficient way to complete a task

Productivity analysis can recommend the most efficient way to complete a task by using an analytical framework.

This entails identifying the tasks needed to complete the project – sequenced in order of importance.

We can identify areas where time may be wasted and provide recommendations on allocating resources given their availability.

As a result, it is easier for project managers to ensure no productivity or quality control issues due to poor management of human resources.

In conclusion

The use of productivity analysis is common practice for premier construction firms throughout the world.

It’s a great approach to ensure that a project goes smoothly and efficiently.

The analytical framework that a project productivity analysis provides helps identify areas where time may be wasted and provides recommendations on how best to allocate resources given their availability.

This technique also ensures that there are no issues with site productivity or quality control due to substandard human resources management – leading to increased costs and overshooting project completion dates.

Do take note that it can be pretty challenging to manage resources and time.

That is why project managers and construction contractors must use every technique available at their disposal.

And yes, this includes project productivity analysis.

We at RPMS would be more than happy to personally explain to you the right approach, techniques, and processes on how to go about doing a project productivity analysis – as well as the proper implementation of your findings.

Send us an email, or give us a call now and ask how we can help you.

Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis In Construction Project

The construction sector has seen a lot of changes over the last few decades. With buildings becoming taller and more complex, there must be an analysis of productivity growth to ensure that projects are completed on time and under budget.

In this article, we will discuss some significant benefits of productivity analysis for construction projects. We will also do a deep dive of sorts and explore the factors surrounding the productivity analysis process.

So, are you ready to start?

What is Productivity Analysis?

What is Productivity Analysis?

To better understand the topic, we need to start with the basics. The purpose of a productivity analysis is to review and analyse how project managers and planners are completing their tasks. Incorporating a productivity analysis aids in determining what tasks or processes take up more time than they should.

Productivity analysis has many benefits, including ensuring projects stay on time and under budget and making employees happier. This positive reaction stems from the fact that they have more specific expectations about how long it will take them to complete a particular work.

Productivity analysis also helps maintain accurate records since you’re not guessing who’s been working on what task all week. You’ll know precisely how long a person was assigned to a task, what the task was, and whether he/she was successful in working or completing the task.

Project managers, schedulers and planners determine each project’s sequence or schedule using all of these statistics. The purpose is to ensure that each doesn’t go over budget or become too delayed.

Why is project Productivity Analysis critical to a construction project?

The main problem of a construction project is inefficiency – which then becomes risks, and then unto its physical manifestation, which is delays.

Once a delay happens, the entire project becomes affected. That, in turn, can lead to more inefficiencies – creating a loop that can send a project over budget and not hit its completion schedule.

Productivity Analysis is a great way to identify these inefficiencies and then eliminate them before they happen, saving time and money.

A productivity analysis of construction projects can reduce or eliminate construction project risks and help the company save money, time, and resources.

Conducting a productivity analysis works like an early warning signal. It provides project managers with up to date data, allowing them to detect construction inefficiencies and mitigate them before they happen.

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Top productivity issues faced by construction projects

Everything written below is all the potential issues a detailed productivity analysis can fix.

Obsolete technology

Unless you’re just building a one storey house, the technology you use to communicate with other team members plays a crucial role in a construction project. Since most high profile job sites cover a large area, communication tools are a necessity.

Sadly, some construction projects still rely on pen and paper and handheld radios to transfer information and communicate. Though they can still work, they are obsolete compared to modern communication tools, making them inefficient.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help gauge the efficiency of using said tools and how more efficient a project can become if the worksite team moves to use modern technology to communicate and transfer information to one another.

Communication issues

Project site communication is not just limited to tools used to communicate. It also pertains to the transfer of information between parties and how quickly said information is sent and received.

A productivity analysis can pinpoint inefficiencies in how information gets transferred between one team member to the other.

The information gathered can then be used to recommend better means of disseminating information – and what modern platforms will fit a specific work team.

Coordination issues

Coordination has to do with efficiently making a large number of people work as one unit.

Conducting a productivity analysis can help iron out any inefficiencies in how teams work alongside others. And if you add a detailed project scheduling and planning system into the mix, you’ll then be able to have a road map of what each team needs to do – and when it needs doing.

Inefficient use of time

Productivity analysis is a way to maximise time and reduce risks for construction projects. A productivity analysis identifies the leading causes of wasted time, like inefficient schedules or tools being unavailable when they are needed.

It also identifies ways to decrease work-related injuries by providing workers with safe equipment that matches their skill level.

Productivity analysis provides contractors with an opportunity to meet deadlines without fear of costing overruns because it reduces errors in scheduling and decreases the likelihood of running out of materials before the project is complete. In other words, this saves money on labour costs, which would otherwise go to working overtime due to a lack of efficiency in other areas during the production timelines.

Poor task briefing

To do a job right, a person needs to be good at it, understand what the task’s goal is, and have the know-how to complete said objectives.

Productivity analysis mitigates this risk by providing a clear context for each task. The data gathered during productivity analysis gives an accurate overview of what tasks are necessary, when their completion time is and how long each one will take to complete.

In short, it does two things: it tells you exactly what needs to get done to finish up on time and within budget, and it helps craftspeople identify where their strengths lie so that they can do more of what they’re good at – which saves everyone time!

The most significant impact of productivity analysis is the elimination of the factors we just mentioned. Without said factors at play, project efficiency increases across all departments within the worksite. This leads to faster completion times with less risk involved!

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

What are the factors affecting jobsite productivity?

Aside from the ones we mentioned a while back, other factors affect and impact the productivity of a construction site.

Below are some of the most common factors.

Workforce

Staffing is one of the most critical factors in the success of a project.

When there are not enough workers assigned to a task, productivity growth decreases significantly and becomes prone to delays.

To avoid this, managers need to ensure sufficient labour resources on hand, so each team member has equal tasks throughout the workday or week.

With more people working on a task at once, it will take less time to complete. This makes better use of everyone’s skill set, maximising their effectiveness in meeting duties within an appropriate time frame.

Some construction firms don’t bother with hiring a competent workforce when handling a project. Instead, they concentrate on hiring good architects, project engineers, planners, schedulers, and site managers.

Though having a competent senior project team do help, it’s not enough.

The key to any successful construction project has a competent workforce that can execute the jobs given to them with precision, speed and without compromising quality.

The allocation of human resources also plays a crucial role in increasing the productivity growth level of a project.

This is so because it helps the project managers fully utilise their workforce by assigning them to specific tasks.

Workload allocation works in a way that each worker works and completes only one task at a time and not work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

These tasks usually involve manual labour or repetitive work, which does not require much thinking from the person doing it. This contrasts intellectual work (like what construction planner and schedulers do), which requires high-level skill sets like analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.

Productivity analysis can help identify tasks where jobsite productivity levels need improvement. It can also pinpoint areas where automation may be an option worth exploring.

Use of equipment and machinery

Yes, anyone can train to use construction equipment and machinery.

But compared to leveraging an individual who is already adept at using said tools, the efficiency and productivity of using said tools to complete a task are exponentially increased.

Generally speaking, a certain level of expertise and knowledge comes with being trained to use particular tools.

In the context of construction, this means knowing how to operate machinery in dangerous environments without endangering oneself or others around them. It also means understanding how different types of equipment work together as part of a more extensive system.

Moreover, suppose you have an expert on your team capable of maintaining specific construction equipment (like power tools, for example). In that case, they will ascertain when a said tool needs servicing before there’s any damage done – which translates into less time lost while waiting for specialist assistance from outside sources.

Time management

Time management in a construction project is crucial. It can determine how much time a particular task demands.

Constructing buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects will necessitate that the design team account for certain things like safety regulations or municipal restrictions before construction starts.

Likewise, it will be necessary to know the type of material used (whether it’s steel beams or cement) and its weight/size. This is so managers can allocate the workforce accordingly. Efficiency means that you don’t want more people than what is needed working on any given task.

Also, effective time management entails:

Inspecting raw materials is essential since it can influence the time it takes to complete a project.

For example, suppose you don’t inspect steel beams. In that case, they could have cracks or other flaws that will require fixing or replacement at some point during construction. This could lead to delays in completing your construction projects and additional expenses.

Testing materials before installation – when installing different materials to complete a task, said materials should undergo durability or stress testings. Efficiency goes hand in hand with competence. So as a project manager, you want all your project materials performing according to specifications. That way, if something breaks during installation, then you can get replacements quickly.

Production time frame – refers to establishing when a specific project starts and when it needs to end. The proper management of this factor entails having a timeline in place with enough time to do the job right but not too much time to allow for delays or changes.

Inspecting completed tasks – which is key to the overall quality of your project. For example, if you don’t check the drywall and find out if it needs to be patched or smoothed over, this could lead to an unprofessional look for that part of the building.

Safety checks – these are crucial since you want all our workers to come home safe every day! This is important not just during the construction phase but also after project completion when any materials left on construction sites need tidying up. Some construction contractors will bring garbage bins and extra trash bags with them before they even begin work, so nothing gets missed at the end. We strongly recommend implementing a safety training course for all project members before the start of a project.

How to measure construction productivity?

Construction jobsite productivity can be measured using processes and procedures like:

Field rating

Field rating is the process of measuring the speed and skills of a construction worker.

This will help determine how productive they are; and is often used as an incentive to keep up good work, rewarding those who work hard with more paychecks! It’s also a way for employers to identify workers who need additional training to develop their skills.

You could have multiple teams working on different areas of your project at once. And if one team isn’t pulling its weight, it might affect everyone else too – which we don’t want since we’re trying to get things done quickly and efficiently!

To collect a random field rating sample, you should use at least four or five workers. This ensures you’re getting a good representation of all the different skills required in your project.

If you have an uneven distribution of skill levels, it’ll affect how accurate this assessment can be. If one worker is much more skilled at doing the same job than his peers, he might not get rated accurately based on their actual abilities.

The formula you need to retrieve field test data is:

Field rating = total observations of work/total number of observations + 10% (which accounts for worker supervision)

Work sampling

Work sampling in the construction industry pertains to how productive an employee is in a specific job.

It provides employers with a more accurate way to identify which skills they should be developing and what training might be necessary.

The main goal of work sampling is to measure how much time an individual spends on different tasks, such as installing wallboard or pouring concrete.

The rating can then be used to determine salary adjustments for similar construction projects in the future. This allows you to gauge someone’s skill level accurately by comparing their productivity against other workers on related jobs.

Five-minute rating

A five-minute rating is an act of observing how a worker operates within a short period of time.

A senior project member usually does this type of rating to determine if the worker’s skill level on a given day falls within an acceptable range for that particular task.

It can also allow the company to identify training needs and improve productivity through coaching techniques or introducing new technologies into their work process.

The practice is primarily subjective and is not always accurate. Still, it can be a great way of determining which skills need development over others – this provides employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, other ways of measuring construction productivity are:

  • Observing daily progress.
  • Tracking the number of hours spent on a task.
  • Monitoring an individual’s workload.

  • Monitoring how resources are allocated and used.

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

What are the Major Benefits of Productivity Analysis in a Construction Project?

It is essential to establish the context before providing an answer to this question.

When a person asks about the significant benefits of using productivity analysis on a construction project, that person is referring to two separate scenarios.

One answer pertains to the measure of human productivity (workforce) and the other towards general project productivity.

The first talking point focuses on human productivity, namely output of quality and quantity. As a metric, it helps eliminate wasted time spent doing non-essential tasks, increasing efficiency, reducing costs (overall higher return on investment), and improving safety by minimising exposure to injuries.

The talking point encompasses all aspects of project productivity – which has even more advantages. It includes metrics like cost-effectiveness and accuracy, time management for processes where deadlines impose consequences, methodology improvement with better documentation throughout the construction stages, and improving communication between employees working on different parts of the same project.

In summary, both methods have significant benefits, but each one provides different solutions from the other in the construction field.

So with that out of the way, let’s first tackle the human productivity aspect.

Benefits of using productivity analysis to improve workforce productivity

  • Help identify which tasks should have more importance.
  • Provide employers with more information about what they need from future hires.

So why is it important to identify what construction task to prioritise, you ask?

When project managers prioritise tasks effectively, they can decide which tasks need more attention and time.

Tasks can either have a high return on investment or need prioritisation because of their importance.

And how do project managers which task to prioritise?

First, the project manager can use data from productivity analyses and compare them with inputted time records for each task.

Second, a list of priorities could also come from an outside source, such as a client or contractor that details the project’s entire timeline. This will give the project manager an idea of how the project should progress, thus allowing him/her to sequence tasks effectively.

Third, suppose there is not enough information available about the priority of tasks. In that case, managers need to make educated guesses based on factors like job safety – or anything that may affect performance rates and duration. This is to determine which task has the highest return on investment rate.

Why is it important for project managers to know what they need from future hires?

Many project managers need to know what they can expect from future hires. The purpose is to understand how to use them on different work teams efficiently.

The three things that construction companies typically need are human resources, equipment and materials.

Staffing is often more difficult than either of the other two because there is a higher demand for skilled labour.

If you know how much work you’re expecting to get done for a project or task, this could considerably help narrow your search.

Conducting a productivity analysis on a workforce would indicate what skill sets might be most useful when hiring new staff members. This could be for a future project or to complete an upcoming task on your current project.

For instance, if you’re hiring someone for carpentry work, that person should have extensive experience with woodworking tools such as hammers and saws.

These items can’t be used by those who don’t have the proper training or knowledge to use them. So you shouldn’t hire team members without this crucial information ahead of time!

Are you following everything so far?

If yes, then let’s tackle this.

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the ‘project side’ of things

The benefits of conducting productivity analysis from the 'project side' of things

#1 It helps determine performance and productivity goals

Performance and productivity goals pertain to the factors that increase the value you get from work done over a certain amount of time.

Knowledge – which allows tasks to finish faster.

Automation – which reduces the need of a human worker to complete a task.

Tools – understanding what tools can help improve the completion of a task with compromising quality.

Process improvement – the ability to streamline processes and methodologies.

Outsourcing – getting specialised help to complete a task faster.

#2 It helps you get rid of non-value-added activities

This is self-explanatory as getting rid of any non-value-added activities eliminates unnecessary tasks that may be eating up project funding.

Using productivity analysis allows you to estimate how much time and money you are spending on non-value-added activities. That is one of the most valuable benefits of performance and productivity analysis.

A thorough study of performance and productivity data helps project managers develop better plans for future projects and see what areas hold the project team back from being more productive. It will also allow managers to see what areas could be optimised or reworked.

You see, delegating people to other projects may take up their time without them even realising it until later. This way, you know precisely where resources should go instead of guessing which ones you should allot resources to.

This is also a precious data asset for any construction business to perform.

Research has shown that 43% of American businesses are productivity-focused and that maintaining a highly productive system accounts for 85% of all profits.

#4 Ability to factually assess current operations

The ability to factually assess current operations is a critical component of any construction company. This allows companies to know if they are doing the best job or need a change to improve their business practices.

Productivity analysis has proven its ability to save money and time by identifying problem areas before getting wastage gets out of hand.

#5 A way to recommend the most efficient way to complete a task

Productivity analysis can recommend the most efficient way to complete a task by using an analytical framework.

This entails identifying the tasks needed to complete the project – sequenced in order of importance.

We can identify areas where time may be wasted and provide recommendations on allocating resources given their availability.

As a result, it is easier for project managers to ensure no productivity or quality control issues due to poor management of human resources.

In conclusion

The use of productivity analysis is common practice for premier construction firms throughout the world.

It’s a great approach to ensure that a project goes smoothly and efficiently.

The analytical framework that a project productivity analysis provides helps identify areas where time may be wasted and provides recommendations on how best to allocate resources given their availability.

This technique also ensures that there are no issues with site productivity or quality control due to substandard human resources management – leading to increased costs and overshooting project completion dates.

Do take note that it can be pretty challenging to manage resources and time.

That is why project managers and construction contractors must use every technique available at their disposal.

And yes, this includes project productivity analysis.

We at RPMS would be more than happy to personally explain to you the right approach, techniques, and processes on how to go about doing a project productivity analysis – as well as the proper implementation of your findings.

Send us an email, or give us a call now and ask how we can help you.