HP Inc. has shared findings from its first “State of Construction Productivity” survey, which shows there is a lack of progress regarding improving the construction industry’s productivity levels, according to For Construction Pros.
McKinsey reports labor productivity in manufacturing has grown an average of 3.6% per year during the past two decades compared with 1% for construction.
HP Inc. surveyed construction workers and decision makers from the U.S., United Kingdom and Germany and found 60% of respondents agreed techniques and processes have changed little during the past 20-30 years despite significant advances in technology.
Although 71% of respondents said technology has an integral role to play in improving productivity, only 3% of chief information officers said productivity-boosting technology had been introduced on-site during the past 12 months. Additionally, 75% of all respondents have seen no such technology deployed on-site during the past year; 79% estimated less than 20% of their annual budget is invested in on-site technology; and 25% said their employer is not open to new technology.
Sixty-four percent of respondents believe raising productivity levels can help the industry improve housing shortages; 67% believe it can alleviate project delays; 66% say it can help attract the next generation of talent; and 71% believe it can reduce criticism of projects in the public eye.
