Monitoring labor inputs: automated-data-collection model and enabling technologies

The work presented in this paper is part of a larger initiative to meet a major challenge faced by the construction industry, namely measuring project performance automatically. The idea leading to the present development is that measuring the location of workers at regular time intervals, using Automated Data Collection (ADC), enables the generation of labor-input data automatically. The paper presents the difficulties and challenges of developing such an Automated Project Performance Control (APPC) system, and proposes a solution using ADC. Enabling technologies for ADC are identified and systematically evaluated. Based on the findings, a theoretical ADC model is presented. The main finding of the paper is that an ADC system is feasible using three different technologies. A number of additional applications of the principles presented in the paper are also discussed.