The construction industry consistently ranks as one of the largest industries in the world. Yet it is in danger of falling behind other sectors, hampered by two decades of anemic labor-productivity growth as compared to other industries, a lack of true innovation, and its fragmented nature. In some cases, productivity growth in construction lags behind the economies in which they operate.
According to McKinsey Global Institute’s “Reinventing Construction: A Route To Higher Productivity” report, “construction sector labor-productivity growth averaged 1 percent a year over the past two decades, compared with 2.8 percent for the total world economy and 3.6 percent for manufacturing.”
“Absent change, global need for infrastructure and housing will be hard to meet,” the report adds.
The 20-page executive summary found that proactive steps in seven specific areas could significantly increase productivity, including a tenfold productivity boost if the industry transitioned to a “manufacturing-style production system.”
While the executive summary paints a somewhat grim picture of the current state of construction, the possible solutions, if implemented, could breathe new life into an industry that hasn't experienced meaningful productivity gains in decades.
