---
title: "Labour productivity: causes, measures, control"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_8/construction_management:labour-productivity-control"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/labour-productivity-control
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Labour productivity: causes, measures, control

Construction Management · Chapter 7: Controlling Project Integration and Work

- Asked in: 2079 Shrawan, 5 marks; 2079 Jestha, 4 marks; 2078 Chaitra, 3 marks; 2074 Bhadra, 5 marks; 2070 Bhadra, 4 marks (asked 5 times)
- Video: [The 7 Quality Control (QC) Tools Explained with an Example!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuH35ottILU) — CQE Academy
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/labour-productivity-control
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-7

## Question

What is labour productivity? How can it be measured, what are the causes of low labour productivity, and what is to be done to improve (control) labour productivity?

## Short answer

Labour productivity is output per unit of labour input, such as m³ of concrete per man-day. It is measured by work sampling, time study, output per man-hour comparison, and delay surveys. Low productivity is caused by poor planning, unskilled labour, low motivation, bad conditions, breakdowns, rework and fatigue; improve it with planning, training, incentives, welfare, equipment, supervision and quality control.

## Answer

#### Labour productivity
**Labour productivity** is the output of work done by labour in a unit of time, e.g. m³ of concrete or m² of plastering per man-day; that is, the ratio of output to labour input.

$$
\text{Productivity} = \frac{\text{Output (quantity of work)}}{\text{Input (labour hours or man-days)}}
$$

#### Measurement
1. **Work sampling:** many random observations of workers to find the percentage of productive, supporting and idle time.
2. **Time study / stopwatch study:** timing the activity over a standard cycle.
3. **Output per man-hour comparison:** actual quantity completed ÷ labour hours used, compared with the norms in the rate analysis (e.g. DUDBC norms).
4. **Productivity ratings and daily output records** from site records and muster rolls.
5. **Questionnaire or foreman delay survey** to find the reasons for delay.

#### Causes of low productivity
- Poor planning and scheduling, lack of drawings or materials, waiting for instructions.
- Unskilled or untrained workers, poor supervision.
- Low motivation, poor wages, delayed payment, unfair treatment.
- Bad working conditions: heat, rain, noise, poor site layout, no toilet or drinking water.
- Equipment breakdown, wrong tools, rework due to errors.
- Fatigue from overtime, absenteeism, labour unrest and strikes.
- Poor communication between management and workers.
- Unsafe working conditions and accidents.

#### Control and improvement
1. Plan the work properly and issue drawings, materials and tools on time.
2. Select and train workers; use skilled gang combinations.
3. Provide incentives, bonuses and timely payment; recognise good work.
4. Improve working conditions: shade, safety gear, welfare facilities.
5. Use suitable equipment and better methods (prefabrication, standardisation).
6. Provide proper supervision and clear instructions; measure output daily and compare it with norms.
7. Avoid excessive overtime and keep good relations with the labour union.
8. Reduce rework through quality control and good communication.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Labour productivity is best expressed as:
   A. Output of work per unit of labour input (e.g. m3 per man-day)
   B. Wages per day
   C. Number of workers
   D. Total cost of labour
   Answer: A. Productivity = output (quantity of work) / input (labour hours or man-days). (Key point: Definition)

2. What does work sampling measure?
   A. Strength of concrete
   B. Percentage of productive, supporting and idle time from random observations
   C. Total wages
   D. Weight of materials
   Answer: B. Many random observations give the share of productive, support and idle time. (Key point: Work sampling)

3. Which is a cause of low labour productivity?
   A. Timely payment
   B. Lack of drawings or materials and poor planning
   C. Proper supervision
   D. Good welfare facilities
   Answer: B. Poor planning, missing materials or drawings cause waiting and low output. (Key point: Causes of low productivity)

4. Which measure helps improve productivity?
   A. Unlimited overtime
   B. Incentives, timely payment, training and good working conditions
   C. Reducing supervision
   D. Removing safety gear
   Answer: B. Motivation, skills and good conditions raise output; excess overtime causes fatigue. (Key point: Improving productivity)

## Related in Construction Management

- [Material productivity control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaterial-productivity-control) — Construction Management, chapter 7, asked 5×
- [Equipment productivity control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aequipment-productivity-control) — Construction Management, chapter 7

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