1. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
Chapter 20
IMPROVING
PRODUCTIVITY
AND
PERFORMANCE

2. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
THE BIG PICTURE
• State of the Industry
• What Is Productivity?
• Tools for Better Management

3. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
WORK IMPROVEMENT
• What Is It?
• Time Studies
• Flow Process Charts
• Layout Diagrams
• Crew Balance Charts
• Human Factors

4. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
WORK IMPROVEMENT
FIGURE 20-1. Flow process chart.

5. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
WORK IMPROVEMENT
FIGURE 20-2. Roof truss diagram.

6. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
WORK IMPROVEMENT
FIGURE 20-3. Crew balance chart.

7. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
QUANTITATIVE
MANAGEMENT METHODS
• Linear Programming—Graphical
Solution
• Computer Solution

8. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
QUANTITATIVE
MANAGEMENT METHODS
FIGURE 20-4. Graphical solution of Example 20-1.

9. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
QUANTITATIVE
MANAGEMENT METHODS
FIGURE 20-5. Computer solution of
Example 20-2.

10. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
COMPUTERS AND OTHER
TOOLS
• Computers in Construction
• Advanced Techniques

11. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
COMPUTERS AND OTHER
TOOLS
FIGURE 20-6. Scraper simulation program output.

12. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
ROBOTS IN CONSTRUCTION
• Recent Developments
– Building Construction
• Finishing of concrete floor slabs.
• Fireproofing of structural steel after erection.
• Positioning steel members for steel erection.
• Spray linings for silos and similar structures.
• Surfacing of walls and other building components.
– Heavy Construction
• Automated asphalt and concrete plants.
• Automated excavators.
• Automated tunnel boring machines.

13. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
ROBOTS IN CONSTRUCTION
FIGURE 20-7. Automatic grade control of an
excavation using a laser. (Courtesy of
Trimble)
FIGURE 20-8. Remote-controlled pipe
manipulator. (Courtesy of the Construction
Automation and Robotics Laboratory, North
Carolina State University)

14. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
ROBOTS IN CONSTRUCTION
FIGURE 20-9. Robot for interior
construction. (Courtesy of Prof.
A.Warszawski)

15. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
THE FUTURE
• As has been noted throughout this book,
changes in the construction industry are
occurring at an ever-increasing rate.
– Some recent trends in construction include
increasing international competition, rapid
changes in technology, the wide availability of
information via the Internet, increasing ease and
speed of communication, and increasing
governmental regulation of the industry,
particularly in the areas of safety and
environmental protection.

16. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
THE FUTURE
• Computers are playing a growing role in construction
equipment design and operation.
– Automation has taken over many aspects of construction
equipment control.
• When equipment control systems are integrated with
wireless communication systems and GPS (Global
Positioning System) systems, remote and even off-
site control of construction equipment operations
become highly feasible.
– In addition to requiring highly trained managers and
operators, such developments will increasingly demand
skilled technicians to maintain and repair the equipment
involved.

17. Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]
Construction Methods and Management, 8th
ed.
S. W. Nunnally
THE FUTURE
• In light of these developments,
tomorrow’s construction professional
faces an exciting future.