Factors Affecting Project Productivity in Industrial and Contractors’ Firms in Trinidad and Tobago

A Practitioners’ Perspective

Abstract

On a global front, an indicator of successful project delivery is the positive relationship between productivity and performance. However, there are many limiting circumstances that could threaten productivity. These could originate from: poor workforce estimation, inefficient site layout, unreliable supply chain channels, lack of standard work schedules, and low worker motivation. If not appropriately managed, these circumstances will lead to low productivity and poor performance. This paper aims to identify the critical factors that influence project productivity (PP) towards performance improvement during the execution phase. Empirical data was acquired via a questionnaire survey and practitioner views were collated from both industrial and contracting firms within the manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas sectors in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Relative Importance Index results suggested that both PP and performance could be improved (from highest to lowest) by instituting a standard workforce, forming reliable supply chains, developing standard work schedules, optimising the site layout, and improving worker motivation. Through a theoretical lens, the specific prioritisation of these factors allows researchers to understand the core PP enablers that foster high levels of performance within T&T’s growing project environment. From a practical perspective, practitioners can better manage delays and variances during the execution phase. Future work would extend the scope of study by encompassing a wider empirical base that could better validate the importance of these factors across various sectors in T&T.