Learning Curve Effects in

Construction
Dr. Mohammad S. El-Mashaleh

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 1

Learning curve

Repetition of the same operation

generally results in a reduction in the
time and effort required to perform
subsequent operations

Repetitive tasks become easier to

perform with experience

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 2

1
 This reduction tends to be regular and
predictable

The observed characteristics of the

improved performance is known as
learning

This learning can be shown

graphically or mathematically on a
learning curve

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 3

General shape of the learning curve

9.0

8.5
Time

8.0

7.5

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number of units

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 4

2
 Learning curves are also known as:

Manufacturing process functions

Experience curves
Dynamic curves

The learning curve means that costs of

production can be lowered by
increasing quantity of production or
increasing learning
Construction Project Management
Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 5

In construction, the principle of learning

curves can be used effectively in
procurement and production

If the learning rate is known, it may be

possible to estimate the cost of producing
additional units based on learning information

In cost estimating, the bidding, pricing, and

capital requirements are based partially on
the learning curve concept

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 6

3
 In particular, learning is realized at two
levels:

(1) Learning or experience acquired by direct

labor. As a worker continues to produce a
particular unit, he/she naturally improves

(2) Learning acquired in the management

process. This is accomplished through
engineering programs that improve
production, encourage high-quality
production, reduce design complexity,
create technological progress, or foster
product improvement

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 7

General points that apply to learning

curves
The amount of time and cost required to
produce each unit tends to decrease for
successive units

The amount of time to produce each unit

decreases at a decreasing rate

The reduction in time required to produce

each unit follows a specific estimating model.
That is, the rate of improvement (learning)
can be predicted by mathematical models
Construction Project Management
Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 8

4
 Learning applied to individual units

The model for predicting the time to

perform each unit of work is:

TN = K T N s

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 9

TN = K T N s
Where:
TN = Effort required to complete the nth
unit
N = unit number
KT = Constant (theoretically KT = T1)
S = Slope parameter or slope factor (this is
a negative value) = Log / Log 2
= Rate of improvement. If =0.8, then
the second unit is done with 80% of the
effort of the first unit
Construction Project Management
Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 10

5
 Example 1

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 11

Example 2

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 12

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 What happens in case the slope
parameter (s) is not known?
In that case, it must be computed from
available information

It can be determined if information on two

units is known as shown below

log Ti log T j
s=
log N i log N j
Construction Project Management
Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 13

log Ti log T j
s=
log N i log N j

Where:
Ti = effort required to complete the ith unit
Tj = effort required to complete the jth unit
Ni = ith unit
Nj = jth unit
Note that i<j

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 14

7
 Example 3

Construction Project Management

Dept. of Civil Eng.
Dr. Mohammad El-Mashaleh
Hashemite University 15