Current construction management methodologies employed by front-line supervisors and degree of understanding of six sigma principles

In the construction sector, researchers have studied methods to improve accuracy during the project planning stage in various areas such as estimation of material quantities and costs, identifying risk areas, and improving overall organizational management as well as quality. However, the person charged with maintaining quality while increasing productivity and meeting required deadlines is the front-line supervisor or foreman. In order to increase productivity and maintain quality workmanship, improvement methodologies must be applied during the construction phase where the construction productivity actually happens. In order to implement improvement tactics to increase productivity it is pertinent to know the methods that are currently being used. The explanatory sequential mixed method design was used for this research study. In the first phase of the mixed method design, participants were surveyed to gather quantitative data, which was analyzed using statistical analysis. The qualitative phase of the study involved interviewing six participants to gather qualitative data regarding the results from the quantitative data. The sample for this study included front line managers in the construction building industry, including skill trades (ironworkers, carpenters, electricians, etc. ), general and sub-contractors. The results of the survey revealed that the Critical Path Method is the most used management method (82%) on construction projects. While the level of understanding of Six Sigma is extremely low (nearly 70% do not understand) leads to the recommendation that implementation of Six Sigma, under current conditions, at the construction phase would not be an optimal choice. The fundamental principles of Six Sigma is to reduce variability. Future research should focus on reduction, to the extent possible, of variability to improve productivity.