Cottrell, D S (2006) Contractor process improvement for enhancing construction productivity. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 132(2), pp. 189-196. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper presents a regression model that relates job site productivity to process improvement initiatives (PIIs) executed both before and during construction. Applied during early project stages, this model helps industry practitioners to predict the expected value of labor productivity based on certain inputs related to preconstruction planning and construction execution. The model demonstrates the strong relationship of project performance to a variety of PIIs including design completeness, definition of a project vision statement, testing oversight, and project manager experience and dedication. The correlational research methodology targeted 75 projects representing approximately $274.53 million in civil construction. The data collection effort considered 45 PIIs (independent variables) using quantitative and qualitative measures. The modeling technique involved the use of multiple linear regression, a method that exploits available data from multiple, independent sources to focus on specific outcomes. The model was developed directly from contractor specific information and subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The model provides project managers as front line industry practitioners with a deliberate yet practical approach to project management and productivity enhancement. The modeling results include verification analysis and a discussion of the model's usefulness and limitations.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction management; contractors; process control; productivity; quality control |
| Index terms: | expected value, practitioner, process control, process improvement, project management, quality control, modelling, construction productivity, testing, project performance, research methodology, labour productivity, statistical analysis, productivity, independent variable, project manager, regression model |
| Subjects: | statistical analysis, project management theory and practice, management, project delivery, analytical methods, professional practice, data science, operations management, control systems, practitioner, research design and methodology, profession |
| Topics: | Site Management, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here