Measurement and estimation of labor productivity in Hong Kong public rental housing projects

Abstract

Labor productivity is of parametric importance to the construction industry. In Hong Kong, the construction industry failed to provide effective methods to measure and estimate labor productivity. Although previous research had developed a variety of labor productivity models with considering the impact of numerous factors, the direct application of these models in Hong Kong construction industry could be criticized due to the unreliability in data sources and the uncertainty of the quantitative results of the influences of factors. This study aimed at exploring the appropriate measurement and estimation method of labor productivity for public housing projects in Hong Kong. Based on a public rental housing project, a macro-level analysis was launched by utilizing work sampling techniques to acquire the overall labor performance in rebar fixing, formwork operation, and concrete placement of structural framing of the project. Concerning the effect of the influential factors, a micro-level analysis in which the data of rebar fixing activities were collected by utilizing real-time observation was also undertaken to analyze the labor productivity variation trends and to quantify the effects of weather-related factors and buildable factors on labor productivity. Taking the result of the two-level study into consideration, the labor productivity checklist was developed to provide a baseline for labor productivity in both optimistic estimation and pessimistic estimation for each type of component involved in this study. Finally, comparisons had been made to conclude the consensus and the distinction between this study and literatures. It is expected that the research will shed some light on the productivity measurement and estimation in Hong Kong construction industry, and will contribute the body of knowledge in how the influential factors affecting labor productivity at component level.