Analyzing Impact of Semi-Productive Work Hours in Scheduling and Budgeting Labor-Intensive Projects: Simulation-Based Approach

This research investigates labor productivity based on resource-constrained project scheduling simulation models in order to render analytical decision support in planning crew size and worker-activity allocation for steel girder fabrication projects. In the dynamic environment of a structural steel fabrication facility, each laborer (journeyman) is part of teams temporarily formed at particular workstations to conduct various material-handling and connection activities. Discrete-event-simulation-based resource-constrained scheduling analysis is instrumental in analyzing semi-productive work hours resulting from labor transferring between activities and crew matching. In the case study, semi-productive work hours can be lowered from about one half of the total working time to a third by fine-tuning the crew size and work sequencing based on the simulation model, thereby resulting in enhancements on the time and cost performances of the entire project.