Selection of site supervisors to optimize construction project outcomes

Abstract

Purpose– It is important to recruit site supervisors with the right attributes as they play an important role in raising construction productivity and improving project outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between a site supervisor’s attributes and project outcomes. The specific objectives are to: identify the attributes of site supervisors that are significantly correlated with project outcomes (cost, time, quality and client satisfaction); examine whether site supervisors with different educational levels and job experience have different attributes; and recommend the attributes to be considered when selecting site supervisors.Design/methodology/approach– A questionnaire was designed based on the attributes identified from the literature review. The sampling frame was Singapore-based construction site supervisors. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.Findings– The results show that site supervisors who have IT skills are also likely to have projects that have good time, quality and satisfaction outcomes. In addition, the projects of supervisors with longer work experience show significantly better time performance and higher client satisfaction.Research limitations/implications– The limitations include low response rate, and the subjective nature of a Likert scale which was used to rate the attributes of site supervisors. While the importance of hard and soft skills is known, the contribution to knowledge is that this study showed the important role that educational qualifications play in site supervisors’ performance and their soft skills.Practical implications– It is recommended that contractors employ site supervisors who have at least a construction diploma, have IT skills and possess job experience in order to optimise their project outcomes.Originality/value– The study revealed that certain demographic characteristics of site supervisors (i.e. length of work experience and educational qualifications) have significant impact on project outcomes. Site supervisors with higher educational qualifications and more job experience also have better soft skills.