33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan - 2025

https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0126

Workflow Issue Identification by Applying Location-based Work Sampling

Malik Madushanka1, Tobias Fiirgaard2 & Cristina T. Pérez3

1Master student, Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering (CAE), Aarhus University (AU), [email protected], https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2562-5121,
2Master student, CAE Department, AU, Denmark, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4078-3372
3Tenure Track Assistant Professor, CAE Department, AU, Denmark, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4182-1492

Abstract

This study examines Location-Based Work Sampling (LBWS) to improve construction site management by identifying workflow issues. For that, a Case Study was conducted on a Danish new building project, and the workflows of three trades were observed. The LBWS application presented a structured four-step methodology: (1) activity and workspace identification; (2) data collection; (3) data visualization; and (4) data analysis. For the LBWS application, the “Ajour system” app was selected as the optimal software based on the technique “Choosing by Advantages”. At the data collection step, the authors registered 994 random observations of worker activities classified into six work activity categories (production, preparation, transportation, walking, talking, and waiting) and into four workspace categories (production, preparation, storage, and transportation workspace). Previous LBWS studies used a single workspace categorization. This study introduces a grid-based system to capture production dynamics. This study highlights LBWS as a powerful tool for optimizing workflows by identifying inefficiencies. It provides insights into (1) work activity analysis, differentiating value-added vs. non-value-added tasks, reducing excessive walking and waiting times; (2) workspace and resource utilization, using heat maps to assess labor and material distribution; and (3) interferences and congestion, identifying workflow bottlenecks caused by overcrowding or mismanagement.

Keywords

Location-based Work Sampling, workflow, heat map, job site.

Files


Full Text
 

Reference

Download: BibTeX | RIS Format

Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Madushanka, M., Fiirgaard, T. & Pérez, C. T.. (2025). Workflow Issue Identification by Applying Location-based Work Sampling. In Seppänen, O., Koskela, L., & Murata , K. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 587–597). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0126

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Madushanka, M., Fiirgaard, T. & Pérez, C. T.. (2025). Workflow Issue Identification by Applying Location-based Work Sampling. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0126

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

2015 © All Rights Reserved.