An Analysis of Multiskilled Labor Strategies in Construction

Theoretical Labor Strategies – Table 5 below summarizes the total required work force to complete the CII Model Plant for the four multiskilling strategies presented by this research. This analysis reveals important trends, such as, the total required work force was reduced by 18% for Dualskill and by 35% using the Four Crafts-B strategy.
(RS137-1, p. 12)

Of the strategies evaluated in this study, the “Dualskill” strategy demonstrated the smallest labor cost savings. This strategy provided a labor savings of $260,187, approximately a three-percent reduction in total labor cost. The most successful multiskilling strategy tested was the Four Crafts-B approach, which provided labor savings of $432,035, approximately a five-percent reduction in total labor cost. When compared against the Theoretical Maximum strategy, the Four Crafts-B approach captured about 75 percent of the maximum potential savings. (RS137-1, p. 14)

The most commonly reported worker benefits were increased employment duration, improved marketability, and increased sense of security/satisfaction. The most commonly reported project benefits were increased flexibility in worker assignment, lower turnover, smoother work flow with less dead times between tasks, fewer workers needed to complete the project, and lower costs to the owner. (RS137-1, p. 19)

Each problem included was independently identified by more than 67 percent of the users (of multiskilling stragegies). First, users felt that complex tasks did not lend themselves to multiskilling. Secondly, recruiting multiskilled workers and accessing adequate information regarding the skills of each worker are problems. Third, users saw that deterioration of infrequently used skills was inevitable. (RS137-1, p. 17)

The flow chart summarizes the general concepts and sequences associated with successful strategic changes. This general model is proposed as a starting point for future research to develop implementation guidelines for multiskilling users in construction. (RS137-1, p. 21, Figure 3)