ACTIVITY-BASED STRATEGIC WORK PLANNING AND CREW MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION: UTILIZATION OF CREWS WITH MULTIPLE SKILL LEVELS

Although many research efforts have been conducted to address the effect of crew members' work skills (e.g., technical and planning skills) on work performance (e.g., work duration and quality) in construction projects, the relationship between skill and performance has generated a great deal of controversy in the field of management (Inkpen and Crossan 1995). This controversy can lead to under- or over-estimations of the overall project schedule, and can make it difficult for project managers to implement appropriate managerial policies for enhancing project performance. To address this issue, the following aspects need to be considered: (a) work performances are determined not only by individual-level work skill but also by the group-level work skill affected by work team members, each member's role, and any working behavior pattern; (b) work planning has significant effects on to what extent work skill enhances performance; and (c) different types of activities in construction require different types of work, skill, and team composition. This research, therefore, develops a system dynamics (SD) model to analyze the effects of both individual-and group-level (i.e., multi-level) skill on performances by utilizing the advantages of SD in capturing a feedback process and state changes, especially in human factors (e.g., attitude, ability, and behavior). The model incorporates: (a) a multi-level skill evolution and relevant behavior development mechanism within a work group; (b) the interaction among work planning, a crew's skill-learning, skill manifestation, and performances; and (c) the different work characteristics of each activity. This model can be utilized to implement appropriate work planning (e.g., work scope and work schedule) and crew management policies (e.g., work team composition and decision of each worker's role) with an awareness of crew's skill and work performance. Understanding the different characteristics of each activity can also support project managers in applying strategic work planning and crew management for a corresponding activity, which may enhance each activity's performance, as well as the overall project performance.