The document discusses improving labor productivity on construction projects through integrating the work breakdown structure (WBS) and organizational breakdown structure (OBS). It outlines common causes of lost productivity like unclear responsibilities and interruptions to learning curves. The document presents an example of how assigning specific tasks in the WBS to organizational units in the OBS through a responsibility assignment matrix can monitor progress and improve productivity by mitigating these causes. It argues this approach provides a framework to control costs by optimizing resource allocation and labor efficiency.

1. Labor Productivity Improvement inLabor Productivity Improvement in
Construction Projects usingConstruction Projects using
WBS & OBS integration.WBS & OBS integration.
Essam Mohamed Lotfi, PMP, CCP

2. Bibliography
2
Essam Lotffy is a Construction Manager-MEP at Trojan general contracting in AbuEssam Lotffy is a Construction Manager-MEP at Trojan general contracting in Abu
Dhabi, UAE. He received his BSc. degree in Electrical Engineering (Major) and PowerDhabi, UAE. He received his BSc. degree in Electrical Engineering (Major) and Power
Distribution (Minor) through Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt since 2001.Distribution (Minor) through Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt since 2001.
Pursued and achieved his certificates in Project Management (PMP®) from PMI-USAPursued and achieved his certificates in Project Management (PMP®) from PMI-USA
since 2013, and certificate in Cost Management (CCP®) from AACE International sincesince 2013, and certificate in Cost Management (CCP®) from AACE International since
june-2014.june-2014.
He does claim 13 years extensive hands on experience in various aspects of projectsHe does claim 13 years extensive hands on experience in various aspects of projects
and project management within maintenance, power distribution networks monitoringand project management within maintenance, power distribution networks monitoring
and supervision and construction projects as well.and supervision and construction projects as well.
During his employment tenure with his past employers Suez Canal Electrical DistributionDuring his employment tenure with his past employers Suez Canal Electrical Distribution
Company, United Engineering & Trading Company – ENTRACO, and TROJAN GeneralCompany, United Engineering & Trading Company – ENTRACO, and TROJAN General
Contracting, he has successfully managed various projects, in addition enhancing theContracting, he has successfully managed various projects, in addition enhancing the
process capabilities and organization performance as well.process capabilities and organization performance as well.
Essam Lotffy is actively pursuing potential opportunities in the project management field,Essam Lotffy is actively pursuing potential opportunities in the project management field,
where a room of growth and opportunities for advancement exists.where a room of growth and opportunities for advancement exists.

3. OutlineOutline
• Abu Dhabi is one of the cities in GCC where Construction field is booming very
fast.
• The presentation is intended to show the effects of labor productivity on
construction projects’ profits.
• The factors which result in productivity loss and how to improve the productivity
using WBS & OBS framework.
• Illustrate how loss productivity will affect direct labor cost which may results in
reducing project profits by using Earned Value management (Accomplished man-
hours).
• How WBS & OBS integration matrix will recover loss productivity.

4. IntroductionIntroduction

5. Thepurposeof thispresentation isto show theeffect of establishingThepurposeof thispresentation isto show theeffect of establishing
WBS& OBSintegration matrix to monitor theproject performanceandWBS& OBSintegration matrix to monitor theproject performanceand
improvethelabor productivity by assigning worksto appropriateimprovethelabor productivity by assigning worksto appropriate
organizational units.organizational units.
Thepurposeof thispresentation isto show theeffect of establishingThepurposeof thispresentation isto show theeffect of establishing
WBS& OBSintegration matrix to monitor theproject performanceandWBS& OBSintegration matrix to monitor theproject performanceand
improvethelabor productivity by assigning worksto appropriateimprovethelabor productivity by assigning worksto appropriate
organizational units.organizational units.

7. Team Member Role Reporting To Responsibilities
Project Manager (PM) 1- Lead project Team Organization Management 1- Monitor Cost
2- Monitor Time
3- Achieve Planned cost
4- Achieve Planned Time
Construction Manager (CM) 1-Lead Activities Execution Project Manager (PM) 1-Monitor progress
2- Monitor Progress 2-Momitor Subcontractors
Performance
3-prepare payments
4-Follow issues with consultant
Project Engineer (PE)
1- Lead Drawing approvals
Construction Manager (CM)
1- Deliver Drawings & materials
2- Lead material approvals As per project requirements
3- Follow material delivery 2-Issue Materials orders.
4- Distribute activities 3- Follow materials delivery
4- Distribute activities with related
Materials & Drawings.
5- Conform Quality.
Site Engineer (SE)
1-Leads Supervisors
Project Engineer (PE) 1- Distribute supervisors &
Technicians
2- Lead Technicians 2- Follow planned Activities.
3- Lead Store 3- Issue materials from stores
4- Achieve progress
5- Perform Quality
Supervisors 1- Lead Technicians Site Engineer (SE) 1- Perform Drawings
2- Supervise installation 2- Control Technicians productivity
3- Control Materials installation
4- Achieve Quality

10. COMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITYCOMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITY

11. COMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITYCOMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITY

12. COMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITYCOMMON CAUSES OF LOSS IN PRODUCTIVITY

13. Sequence of ActivitySequence of Activity
Installation of Air Duct for Exhaust system at parking area ,NormallyInstallation of Air Duct for Exhaust system at parking area ,Normally
follow the following criteriafollow the following criteria

14. Sequence of ActivitySequence of Activity
Installation of Air Duct for Exhaust system at parking areaInstallation of Air Duct for Exhaust system at parking area
,Normally follow the following criteria,Normally follow the following criteria

15. Sequence of ActivitySequence of Activity
Installation of Air Duct for Exhaust system atInstallation of Air Duct for Exhaust system at
parking area, there are two criteria can be followedparking area, there are two criteria can be followed

16. Sequence of ActivitySequence of Activity
Comparing Criteria (A) & (B)Comparing Criteria (A) & (B)
Manpower
used(Nrs.)
Duration
(Hrs.)
Production
(Nrs.)
IncurredCost(Hrs/Pc)
Cost
Hrs/Psc
Criteria(A) 3 10 3 (10Hrs*3Labors)/3Pcs 10Hrs/Pcs
Criteria(B) 2 10 8 (10Hrs*2Labors)/8Pcs 2.5Hrs/Pcs
ConclusionConclusion:: Criteria (B) proved to be higherCriteria (B) proved to be higher
productivity rates per hour which means less costproductivity rates per hour which means less cost
& better timing to complete the same task.& better timing to complete the same task.

17. Learning CurveLearning Curve
It’s a technique achieved by repeating same activity inIt’s a technique achieved by repeating same activity in
different zones by a fixed group of technicians, in casedifferent zones by a fixed group of technicians, in case
those groups got interrupted before completing samethose groups got interrupted before completing same
activity in all zones the productivity of those groups willactivity in all zones the productivity of those groups will
be lower when we assign them again to the previousbe lower when we assign them again to the previous
activity zone, Look at the following example to find theactivity zone, Look at the following example to find the
implications of interrupting learning curve.implications of interrupting learning curve.
ExampleExample
In residential tower has typical floors, we assigned aIn residential tower has typical floors, we assigned a
group of technicians to fix light fitting under supervisiongroup of technicians to fix light fitting under supervision
of one supervisor, we noticed the following,of one supervisor, we noticed the following,

18. Floor 1
st
2
nd
3
rd
4
th
5
th
6
th
7
th
Light fitting Ficxed 169 169 169 169 169 169 169
Duratation (Days) 3 3 3 2.5 2.5 2 2
Productivity / Day 56.3 56.3 56.3 67.6 67.6 84.5 84.5

19. Looking to previous tables which Indicates that fixingLooking to previous tables which Indicates that fixing
group of 3 technicians to perform the same activitygroup of 3 technicians to perform the same activity
repeatedly will increase their productivity day to day asrepeatedly will increase their productivity day to day as
the same group will be more familiar with the type ofthe same group will be more familiar with the type of
the light fitting and site conditions hence give morethe light fitting and site conditions hence give more
productivity (productivity (See Graph showing learning curveSee Graph showing learning curve
improvementimprovement), while interrupting those groups will), while interrupting those groups will
disrupt the learning curve of the technicians as indisrupt the learning curve of the technicians as in
second building with same specifications we have thesecond building with same specifications we have the
same arrangements, but the activity were interruptedsame arrangements, but the activity were interrupted
by reassigning the technicians to other activities thenby reassigning the technicians to other activities then
returning back to the light fitting installation activity asreturning back to the light fitting installation activity as
shown in the following graph.shown in the following graph.

20. Floor 1
st
2
nd
3
rd
4
th
5
th
6
th
7
th
Light fitting Ficxed 169 169 169 169 169 169 169
Duratation (Days) 3 3 0 0 0 3 3
Productivity / Day 56.3 56.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 56.3 56.3

21. PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTPRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTPRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTPRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT
To monitor manpower performance during constructionTo monitor manpower performance during construction
project life cycle we have to use clear framework thatproject life cycle we have to use clear framework that
control the process of monitor and this requires all projectcontrol the process of monitor and this requires all project
team members to know their roles and responsibilities hereteam members to know their roles and responsibilities here
the necessity of Responsibility Assignment matrix arisesthe necessity of Responsibility Assignment matrix arises
where you can assign specific resources to specific taskwhere you can assign specific resources to specific task
using WBS & OBS integration hence you can control eitherusing WBS & OBS integration hence you can control either
productivity and cost as well, the following figure Showingproductivity and cost as well, the following figure Showing
the WBS & OBS integration matrix which representing thethe WBS & OBS integration matrix which representing the
idea of this technical paper as a proper technique toidea of this technical paper as a proper technique to
monitor the work progress and improve the labormonitor the work progress and improve the labor
productivity rates.productivity rates.

23. ConclusionConclusion

24. THANK YOUTHANK YOU