A Theoretical Framework for the Systematic Construction Project Productivity Measurement: Reconceptualisation and Boundary Extension

Abstract

Productivity is a major determinant of and an important driver for the success of construction projects. The concept of productivity was derived from manufacturing and defined as a ratio of outputs to inputs. Previous construction productivity research was largely grounded in the manufacturing-based productivity concept, and emphasised quantitative measurements of construction processes from the perspective of contractors. However, there is increasing awareness of the need to consider the features of construction projects compared with manufacturing and to address the intangible parameters of construction projects when measuring productivity. This paper therefore aims to develop a novel methodology for measuring systematic construction project productivity (SCPP). SCPP is reconceptualised as “how input resources are effectively transformed into the value for clients and meet their objectives.” A theoretical framework which is composed of site efficiency, products effectiveness, and capacity effectiveness is developed to measure SCPP. This framework contributes a multi-dimensional productivity measurement for construction projects by combining the participation of contractors and clients (stakeholder’s dimension), by incorporating the tangible and the intangible parameters of completed projects and constructed facilities and the soft outcomes of those projects and facilities during their operation (variables dimension), and by extending time-boundary to integrate construction and operation processes (timeframe dimension). The findings contribute a new conceptualisation for productivity measurement that integrates the tangible and intangible parameters of projects and facilities. Finally, the developed framework also provides a theoretical basis for the future development of mathematical models for effective benchmarking of SCPP across different construction projects.