Measuring productivity improvement by Machine Guidance through work sampling in earthwork

This paper proposes a study measuring productivity improvement by using a type of technology called "Machine Guidance" through work sampling in earthwork. Earthwork is the activity typically on the critical path, indicating that productivity for the activity is critical for managing schedule on time. Thanks to the development of sensing and information system technologies, productivity for earthwork has been improved. While there have been many studies investigating the application of a certain type of technology to earthwork, few studies have measured the productivity improvement and presented how the technology leads to productivity improvement. Based on the thorough literature review, it is hypothesized that Machine Guidance contributes to improving productivity of earthwork by reducing indirect workhours spent for information waiting and inspection. In addition to the literature review, this paper presents a research model to test the hypothesis by using the work sampling technique. By proving and quantifying the productivity improvement from the technology use, this study can help practitioners justify the investment for technology use, which will contribute to the deployment of technology and more effective execution of earthwork.