What productivity means
Productivity relates completed output to the labor time used to achieve it. A planned-versus-actual comparison adds another dimension: it shows whether the work delivered the expected quantity within the planned production basis.
Methodology
Actual productivity is calculated as actual quantity divided by hours worked. Planned productivity uses planned quantity divided by the same hours, creating a directly comparable output basis. Efficiency is actual productivity divided by planned productivity × 100.
The quantity can represent a project-defined installation unit such as meters installed, points completed or devices assembled, provided the same unit is used within comparable records.
Worked example
If a crew planned 80 units in 8 hours but completed 72, actual productivity was 9 units per hour against a planned 10. Efficiency was therefore 90%.
Why several records matter
A single bad day may be caused by access issues, waiting time or a material delay. A series of records helps distinguish a recurring productivity problem from an isolated disruption.
Interpreting variance
A negative quantity variance means actual output was below the plan. That does not necessarily mean the crew performed poorly. The cause may be scope change, site readiness, rework or other constraints that should be recorded alongside the numeric result.
Limitations and safety
This analyzer measures reported output and time. It does not determine worker safety, quality or compliance, and productivity should never be increased by bypassing required work practices.
Frequently asked questions
Can actual output exceed planned output?
Yes. The efficiency result can exceed 100% when actual productivity is higher than the entered plan.
Can different tasks be mixed?
Only when their quantities are comparable. Otherwise, separate task records should be analyzed separately.
Does the tool identify the reason for poor productivity?
No. It quantifies the variance; the underlying cause requires project review.