Time on Tools

Time on tool studies have been universally accepted by a wide variety of organizations as a platform for productivity analysis.

 

What is a Time on Tools study?

A Time on Tools study measures the actual amount of time workers spend using tools.

Construction Process Analysis

The Time on Tools Analysis is a systemic process that captures a numerical snapshot of the activity levels of the trade workers on a construction project.

The process has been utilized on construction projects globally by a wide variety of organizations over the last 40 years and is the platform for industrial engineering and productivity analysis & improvement.

Why Study Time on Tools?

Time on tool studies have been universally accepted by a wide variety of organizations as a platform for productivity analysis.

Manipulating the Time on Tools database to your situation provides you with valuable data that can help you and your team forecast potential productivity issues in the projects work processes

What does a Time on Tools study look for?

The level of trade activity is reported in three major categories: Direct Work, Support Activities and Delays. Tracking these numerical results as a snapshot of average trade worker’s daily shift provides the project team with a baseline to:  

  • Compare current trade activity levels against known industry norms. 
  • Validate Earned Value Analysis calculations.  
  • Determine if the current project management practices are supporting the trade workers efficient execution of scope. 
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 

The application of Time on Tools surveys is typically performed to develop a baseline of trade worker activity levels. The level of trade activity correlates directly with the rate that work is accomplished and is a product of the project management processes that deliver Information, Tools, Materials, Access, and Desire to the workface.

Observations will only be conducted upon trades workers, not on field supervision or other workers not engaged in field work ie: cleaners, security guards, delivery drivers, tool crib operators etc. 

 

Observations will begin 15 minutes after the shift start time to allow for safety meetings and supervision instructions.  

Observations will cease 10 minutes before break times and not commence again until 10 minutes after breaks so that the survey results are not skewed by the weight of mass travel observations. 

Observations will cease 15 minutes prior to the end of the shift to allow for trades clean-up and end-of-day meetings with field supervision.

Observation break down

Direct: the worker is directly engaged in an activity that is within their trade jurisdiction, which is progressing the project. 

Support: Worker is engaged in a process that is supporting their preparation to execute direct work

Subcategories:

Planning: Includes getting instructions, safety meetings, reviewing drawings. 

Travel: The worker is traveling without tools or materials. 

Travel with material: Worker is traveling with or to get materials. 

Travel with tools: Worker is traveling with or to get tools. 

 

Delay Subcategories:

Delay Same: Being delayed by a trade worker of the same trade. 

Delay Other: Being delayed by a trade worker of a different trade. 

Delay Information: Being delayed by an absence of instructions, drawings etc. 

Delay Tools: Being delayed by an absence of, or incorrect, tools or equipment 

Delay Materials: Being delayed by an absence of, or incorrect, materials. 

Delay Access: being delayed by an absence of access to the workface. 

Delay Personal: Not engaging in direct work when there is no impediment.

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