This paper was first published in the Canadian Journal of
Civil Engineering, Vol. 21, 1994 pp 939-953, under the title "A Pragmatic
Approach to Using Resource Loading, Production and Learning Curves on Construction
Projects". It has been modified only to the extent necessary to make it
presentable in web page format.
Published here October, 2001.
Productivity Improvement Through Learning
The theory behind productivity improvement through learning is worth reviewing
briefly, because there are somewhat different, though similar, approaches to
the mathematics involved. In addition, the theory can make a useful contribution
in terms of:
- Demonstrating the importance of consistent management direction and effectiveness
- Showing the benefits of establishing on a job the highest possible degree
- Ensuring sufficient and continuous availability of work prior to commencement
- Underpinning work crew motivation and attitude
- Forecasting output, and hence time and cost to completion
- Estimating work which is comparable, but which may be significantly different
in the amount to be accomplished.
And conversely, in
- Demonstrating the adverse impacts of interference to the flow of work