Construction labour is a significant cost factor for petrochemical plant owners and their contractors. Enhancing labour productivity is therefore indispensable for the petrochemical industry in order to achieve sustainable development. Considering the variety of projects undertaken by this industry (i.e. construction and more particularly, maintenance and shutdowns/turnarounds), there is a lack of standard methods for assessing labour productivity. This generates a need for developing productivity assessment practices suitable for all project types. This paper presents solutions for labour productivity improvement based on a study conducted at various petrochemical plants.The study developed and implemented a modified Activity Analysis method suitable for the site conditions, with a focus on maintenance activities and shutdown/turnaround projects, which were rarely considered on previous productivity assessment approaches. Conducted over two cycles, this study assessed the current labour productivity, identified barriers, and analysed the efficacy of solutions implemented to mitigate these barriers. The aggregate direct work percentage was found to have increased in the second cycle. The analysis of labour productivity through Activity Analysis in maintenance and shutdown/turnaround projects is a key contribution of this study. The findings provide a basis for assessing and benchmarking labour productivity in the petrochemical industry.

This paper describes the development of a method to assess the level of implementation of best productivity practices in the petrochemical industry. The proposed methodology focuses on construction, maintenance activities, shutdowns, and turnarounds. Its novelty and importance are emphasized by the lack of productivity studies that target these types of projects. This article reports the research methodology steps including tool development and detailed case study assessments of projects in Singapore. The approach involved the verification of best productivity practices and the development of an assessment method designed to fit the characteristics of petrochemical projects. The assessment points out productivity practices with low implementation levels and provides recommendations to increase their usage. The results showed that the level of implementation of productivity practices in the petrochemical projects investigated was 68.42%, out of a maximum score of 100%. Practices related to Material Management and Equipment Logistics received the lowest scores and recommendations on how to bridge this productivity practice implementation gap were provided. The adoption of the Best Productivity Practices Implementation Index (BPPII) as a Productivity management tool will help the petrochemical plants to improve productivity in their projects and to be resilient during the pre-planning phase. This should also allow the petrochemical industry to attract more investments and remain competitive in order to be sustainable. The identification and analysis of practices related to maintenance activities, shutdowns, and turnarounds of petrochemical plants will significantly contribute to the body of knowledge on best productivity practice.