Engineering Productivity Measurements (Archived)

Research Team 156 was established to determine a valid measurement approach to drive improvement that present-day design tools lack.  

This research discovered that the majority of participating companies were utilizing engineering productivity measurements that have not evolved with the design technology being utilized. Progress was being reported based on drawing or specification status. Prior efforts to increase engineering productivity utilizing these same standards only led to shifting work from engineering to the field which results in additional field labor and cost. 

RT-156 recommends the implementation of an engineering unit based measurement system that takes into consideration the quantities designed instead of the drawings created. Few participating companies are currently utilizing this approach, and of the ones who are – their primary goal is to manage quantity creep on a project.

With further implementation of the design unit approach, additional consistency can be added to controlling projects across all phases.