Construction productivity awareness and improvement programs in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study investigates and studies many construction productivity related issues in Saudi Arabia including productivity awareness among construction contractors, applicability of different productivity measurement methods, hindrances of productivity improvement programs, areas and functions which have high potential for productivity improvement, and the possibility of establishing construction productivity improvement programs. This study reveals the presence of construction productivity problem. The findings of this study further indicate that Cost Reporting and Control System (CRCS) is the most familiar, popular, and effective productivity measurement method, and that the lack of management support, trained personnel, and awareness are the most important obstacles to Productivity Improvement Programs. Of the Head Office areas, planning and scheduling are found to be of the highest potential to improve productivity regardless of the firm size. Of the site area, management and equipment areas are of the highest potential to improvement productivity. Productivity Improvement Programs are found to be suited for all projects regardless of their characteristics. A model, in the form of a flow chart, for establishing Productivity Improvement Programs is developed.