Author(s): Luis Fernando Ortega and Peter Van Dijk

Abstract: Labor productivity is a critical determinant of time, cost, and quality performance in construction projects, particularly in small-scale building works where resource constraints and managerial limitations are pronounced. This research presents a practical assessment of labor productivity variations in small-scale building projects using systematically maintained daily site logs. The research focuses on identifying measurable productivity fluctuations and examining their relationship with labor hours, work continuity, and site-level operational conditions. Daily site records collected over a continuous construction period were analyzed to quantify productivity trends and variability. Descriptive statistics were applied to establish baseline productivity behavior, while inferential tools including regression analysis and analysis of variance were employed to examine statistically significant relationships between labor input and output performance. The findings reveal noticeable daily productivity fluctuations, even under relatively stable working conditions, indicating the influence of micro-level site factors that are often overlooked in small projects. Regression results demonstrate a moderate but significant association between extended labor hours and declining productivity efficiency, suggesting diminishing returns beyond optimal working durations. Analysis of variance further confirms that productivity differences across observed work periods are statistically significant. The research highlights the effectiveness of daily site logs as a low-cost, practical data source for productivity monitoring and performance evaluation. By translating routinely collected site information into actionable productivity indicators, small contractors can gain valuable insights without relying on complex data systems. The results contribute to construction management practice by reinforcing the need for structured record keeping and data-driven decision-making at the project level. The research concludes that consistent analysis of daily site logs can support improved labor planning, realistic scheduling, and early identification of productivity losses, thereby enhancing overall project efficiency in small-scale construction environments.

DOI: 10.22271/27078388.2026.v7.i1a.58

Pages: 05-08 | Views: 29 | Downloads: 15

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