Non Value-Adding Activities in Australian Construction Projects

Construction managers attention has long been focused on conversion processes, however little attention has been directed at flow activities, leading to uncertain flow processes, expansion of non value-adding activities, and reduction of output value. In the production process, non value-adding activities are known as waste. This study is part of an on-going research project aiming to determine the incidence of non value-adding activities occurring within contracting organisations in Australia. A quantitative approach was adopted for this research utilising the results of a questionnaire survey involving 53 variables that related to non value-adding activities. The variables were then separated into 2 classifications: waste variables (22 variables) that contributed to a reduction in the value of construction productivity and waste causes variables (31 variables) that could be defined as factors producing waste. Results showed that there was no significant difference between respondents’ perceptions towards waste. In addition, waiting for instruction was found to be the most important variable and poor quality site documentation, weather, unclear drawings, poor design, design changes, slow drawing revision and distribution and unclear specifications were identified as key waste cause variables of non value-adding activities. This paper recommends further suggest that investigation into the incidence of non value-adding activities was needed during construction to improve performance and enhance customers satisfaction.