Measuring Construction Site Productivity: A seven-step framework for success

22 August 2022

Industry leaders publish framework for measuring construction site productivity 

In an on-going collaboration between some of the biggest names in UK construction and not-for-profit Be the Business, the Construction Productivity Taskforce has published a practical seven-step framework to improve construction site productivity.

Measuring Construction Site Productivity: A seven-step framework for success, published today on the Be the Business website, has been produced to help businesses within the sector collect the relevant data and measure productivity, in order to increase efficiency and improve performance on sites. This framework has been designed to support the work of all major contributors to the construction industry, including clients, contractors, designers and those within the supply chain.

This framework represents the first in a series of publications expected from the Construction Productivity Taskforce, and represents just one portion of the work that the Taskforce has committed to undertaking. Its initial ambitious scope of work focusses on three mutually reinforcing areas designed to improve performance: data and metrics; collaborative contracting; and pilot projects. The outputs of the latter are detailed in this framework.

The Taskforce features some of the biggest names in UK development and construction, including British Land, GPE, Landsec, Lendlease, Mace, Morrisroe, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska, SOM, Bryden Wood, and Cast. It is supported by not-for-profit Be the Business which is on a mission to boost productivity in every sector of the economy.

The methodology behind the framework draws on the learnings and good practice gained from two live UK pilot project sites: Landsec’s The Forge in Southwark and Norton Folgate, British Land’s Blossom Street development. The document offers two highly detailed and practical case studies per site, clearly demonstrating how the seven-step framework proposed by the Taskforce can be implemented.

Rising input costs have been well documented in the media, further increasing the importance of improving productivity. Findings from the pilot sites suggest that productivity can be significantly enhanced via increased automation, use of digital technologies, improved management, upskilling and reduced waste, amongst others.

Although this framework relates to the construction sector, these productivity-enhancing practices can be reflected across all sectors and industries.

Katy Dowding, pilot project sponsor and Executive Vice President at Skanska UK, said:

"This document is designed not to sit in desk drawers, but to be put to work, in service of a higher performing sector. This framework is an industry first and, while we strive for improved productivity on our sites, we hope to see further editions of the document produced as the industry evolves and we gather evidence from our sites."

Neil Pennell, Head of Design Innovation & Property Solutions at Landsec, said:

“Improving productivity is the key to driving transformational change in the construction sector. Higher productivity reduces costs, increases production, and enables the most effective use of available resources which is at the heart of sustainable construction. To be able to improve, it is important first to measure and compare. This framework, with its data to dashboard focus, provides a great starting point for the industry to begin to standardise the process of measuring site construction productivity."

Nigel Webb, Head of Development at British Land and Chair of the Construction Productivity Taskforce, said:

“Like much of the UK economy, the construction industry is facing a perfect storm of price rises and supply chain challenges. This makes finding ways to increase efficiency, improve performance and enhance productivity a top priority for every business. This framework provides practical, real-world guidance on how construction sites can be improved through careful planning, development and implementation. My hope is that every major contributor to the construction industry will take this framework into the field so that we might begin building a stronger sector.”

Anthony Impey, CEO of Be the Business said:

“The research is very clear – businesses that measure their performance are more likely to improve productivity and enhance their profitability. I’m excited to bring the insight generated from this framework to other sectors which can in turn be inspired by it.”