ENHANCING LABOR PRODUCTIVITY TO MITIGATE TIME AND COST OVERRUNS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Time and cost overruns present difficulties in construction projects, particularly in emerging nations where worker performance inefficiencies substantially impede project accomplishment. This research examines the influence of worker productivity on project performance, emphasizing its significance in reducing delays and budget overruns. Fifty labor productivity parameters were found after a comprehensive literature analysis and confirmed through expert consultation. These aspects include several areas, such as labor skills, training, quality of supervision, communication, the working environment, availability of resources, equipment efficiency, site management, and safety measures. A mixed-methods research approach was used to guarantee comprehensive and in-depth examination. Quantitative data were gathered using standardized questionnaires disseminated among project managers, site engineers, and contractors across 20 infrastructure projects in Iraq. The relative importance index (RII) was used to prioritize the relevance of each element. Additionally, regression analysis was used to investigate the correlation between labor productivity and time-cost performance metrics. Concurrently, qualitative insights were obtained via semi structured interviews with industry experts to enhance the understanding of the quantitative results. The findings indicate that the primary factors enhancing worker productivity include skill level RII (0.88), training and development (0.85), effective supervision (0.83), and material delivery timeliness (0.82). The results demonstrate a significant association between labor efficiency and decreases in time (R² = 0.67) and cost overruns (R² = 0.61). The study concludes with actionable suggestions for project stakeholders to effectively manage workforce-related factors and improve overall project delivery results.