Setting baseline rates for on-site work categories in the construction industry

Labor performance drives construction project performance. Labor performance can be improved by increasing the direct-work rate, which is the time spent by workers on installing materials and equipment. However, setting baseline rates for direct-work rate and determining expectation levels during the construction phase requires further investigation. The focus of the research reported in this paper is to establish a methodology for setting a desirable and realistic baseline rate based on activity analysis, primarily for industrial projects. First, an adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based method was developed as a means of estimating baseline rates based on existing knowledge. The method was trained using 272 data points. Its flexibility and functionality validate its usefulness; however, three additional methods of defining baseline rates were also developed based on simpler concepts and demonstrated with data points available from 14 projects, and the experience associated with these projects. As a result, comprehensive methods and a valuable initial dataset for industrial construction projects to better establish baseline rates for direct work and supporting activities were contributed. This should help project managers to estimate appropriate baselines and set realistic goals for direct-work rate which ultimately may lead to improvement of labor performance.