Modeling construction method productivity

The construction industry has historically lacked significant increases in productivity. Several reasons are often cited for this limited increase in industry productivity. One of the reasons cited for limited productivity is the construction industry's inability to model construction method productivity. This thesis focuses on a method productivity model that provides the average construction firm a means of measuring, predicting, and improving a given method's productivity. Although the model may not always result in the development of optimal construction method productivity, i t does pro- vide the potential for local optimization for a given construction method. As such, the model provides the potential for increases in method productivity. The potential benefit obtained from using the model to increase productivity often outweighs the cost of implementing the model. The model developed, referred to as the Method Productivity Delay Model, also provides the average construction firm with a means of measuring and predicting construction method productivity. The model focuses on method productivity parameters that are measurable and contollable by the average construction firm. Method productivity parameters are addressed by documenting productivity delays. The model developed recognizes the environment and constraints of the average construction firm. As such, the model does not contain complex mathematics and is compatible with existing union work rules. The Method Productivity Delay Model that is presented in chapters five and six was developed after an evaluation of existing productivity models. These models are presented in chapter two. In order to determine the appropriateness of each of these models to the satisfying of the objective of providing the construction firm with a means of measuring, predicting, and improving productivity, an extensive study of the state of the art of current industry productivity viewpoints and usage of productivity models and techniques was undertaken. This study is summarized in chapter three. Chapter four addresses the evaluation of existing models in regard to the thesis objective. The current state of the art as to industry practices was used as an aid in the evaluation. The MPDM evolved from considering the positive attributes of existing models, from considerations of contractor's viewpoints, and from the author's experience inspecting construction methods and method productivity. By means of using this on-site experience, and by means of experimenting with several approaches to model development, the Method Productivity Delay Model was formulated. The model possesses all of the required attributes that are necessary in order to provide the average construction firm with a means of measuring, predicting, and improving productivity. The model is presented in chapter five. Applications and possible model extensions are presented in chapter six.