Case Study of Efficiency Improvements Using Matrix Methods of Production Management in Building Construction

Construction delays may result from poor planning by construction managers, or from improper alignment of field production management with the project schedule. These issues can be avoided by implementing a schedule-aligned production management system that is visually evident and easily manageable for all trade supervisors and all levels of management. This paper presents the clear flow matrix (CFMx), a novel and simple production control technique employing a two-dimensional matrix to depict schedule compliant field production. The paper provides a case study of the CFMx used as a recovery schedule on a behind-schedule building construction project. The case study compares the field application of the CFMx with the CPM-based production control system originally used on the lagging project, confirming the utility of an easily understood method in maintaining planned production. Interviews of trade contractor personnel were used to assess supervisor opinions of the usefulness of the CFMx in building construction projects. Further assessment of the CFMx included labor time utilization data from Work Sampling Analysis of CFMx projects in comparison with labor utilization data obtained from the construction industry.