Work-Time Model for Engineers

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a work-time model for engineers. Engineers accomplish tasks by using their time when working on engineering or construction projects. Traditional project management records only work hours on tasks charged by engineers, but whether engineers spend time on direct work or communication is usually not tracked. Project tasks entail various degrees of uncertainty and ambiguity that require different work mechanisms and amounts of time. To address this issue, a model of arranging engineers' work mechanisms and time on tasks was developed. The model tested valid on a design project by showing that the fit between planned and actual work hour patterns is associated with better performance. From a system viewpoint, engineers' work mechanisms and time as input variables provide early symptomatic data and prediction about project operations, which provides a guide for the behavior of engineers.