Research inquiries: research@simplarfoundation.org
Multiskilling Knowledge Center A Simplar Foundation Research Initiative

The Definitive Study on Multiskilling in Construction

The largest empirical dataset ever assembled on workforce multiskilling, spanning 40 site visits, 24 states, and 11,407 productivity observations. Now available to researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders.

View Research Reports About the Study

Benefits found in the study

36%
average time workers observed to be cross-tasking
39%
average gain in directly productive work time
68%
average reduction in idle work time
45–72%
more workers would be required to complete the same observed work sequence if workers were restricted to a single trade

About the Research Team

This study was conducted by a multi-institutional team of construction faculty, researchers, and doctoral students representing the University of Kansas, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Arizona State University, and the Simplar Foundation.

Learn About the Research Team →

Dataset at a Glance: The Largest Multiskilling Study Ever Compiled

40
Site visits in 24 states and 22 unique types
2.7
Average distinct skills performed per worker per day
128
Unique trade and skill combinations observed on site
11,407
Productivity observations in the field

What is Multiskilling?

Definition

“Multiskilling is a labor strategy in which workers and crews are qualified to safely and competently perform selected work activities across more than one trade, craft, or skill classification.”

The intent of multiskilling is to allow for the optimal use of craft workers on site. Its primary aims include:

Improved workflow across trades
Increased on-site productivity
Reduced schedule duration
A smaller required labor force
Ability to accomplish more work per crew

The Gap in Prior Research

Of the 59 prior scientific studies conducted on multiskilling:

Found multiskilling to have beneficial or favorable outcomes95%
Concluded multiskilling was disadvantageous across any of the outcomes or conditions studies0
Conducted formal hypothesis testing via inferential statistics24%
Relied on modelling and simulation without field inputs54%
Used field data from U.S. construction projects0
Performed head-to-head comparisons0

This Knowledge Center is designed to address these limitations.

Research Resources

Research Reports

Full empirical analyses with methodology, data, and findings

Work-Time Utilization and Staffing Level Impacts in Construction Crews
New
Productivity in Multi-Trade Construction Workflows
Coming Soon
Schedule Duration and Labor-Curve Outcomes
Coming Soon
How Construction Employers Develop, Verify, and Sustain Workforce Capability
New
A Comprehensive Review of Prior Evidence
New
Contractor Safety Context
New

Handouts & Fact Sheets

One-pagers and practical summaries for practitioners

Comprehensive List of Results
Coming Soon
Practical Implications for Workers, Policy Makers, Taxpayers, Owners, and Contractors
New
Worker Benefits of Multiskilling
New
Study-at-a-Glance Graphical Handouts
Work-Time Utilization and Staffing Level Impacts in Construction Crews
New
Productivity in Multi-Trade Construction Workflows
Coming Soon
Schedule Duration and Labor-Curve Outcomes
Coming Soon
How Construction Employers Develop, Verify, and Sustain Workforce Capability
New
A Comprehensive Review of Prior Evidence
New
Contractor Safety Context
New

About This Knowledge Center

An Ongoing Research Initiative

The Multiskilling Knowledge Center is a growing collection of independent research produced by the Simplar Foundation in collaboration with faculty from the University of Kansas, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Arizona State University.

Rather than a single study, this initiative encompasses multiple research reports, each examining a different dimension of how multiskilling affects construction workforce performance. New findings, reports, and publications will be added here as they are completed.

All research uses real field data from U.S. construction projects and input from U.S. construction workers.

Data Sources:

Day-to-Day Field Observations

Direct measurement of multiskilling on active construction sites, tracking productivity, idle time, and crew size across 40 site visits in 24 states.

Payroll & Project-Level Analysis

Longitudinal analysis of actual payroll records to measure the cumulative impact of multiskilling across the full duration of a project.

Controlled Comparisons

Head-to-head scenarios comparing multiskilled and single-trade work environments under controlled conditions, providing some of the most scientifically rigorous comparisons in the field.

Interviews & Training Program Reviews

Researchers captured the workforce development investments behind multiskilling via 80 structured interviews and 25 visits to training facilities and project sites with 48 participating contractors representing 18 trades.

Stay Connected

Press Releases

Official announcements on major findings, new publications, and research milestones, formatted for newsrooms and media outlets.

View Press Releases →

LinkedIn Updates

Follow Simplar Foundation on LinkedIn for frequent research updates, preliminary results, site visit photos, and more.

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Webinars & Briefings

Join our research team for live presentations of findings and Q&A sessions for industry stakeholders.

Coming Soon

Stay Informed on Multiskilling Research

Receive updates when new reports are published, major findings are released, or new resources become available.