What if productivity in construction is largely determined before work begins on site?

This question is explored by Principal Phil Obayda in the first paper of a 10-part series from the Construction Productivity Taskforce’s Design for Productivity Workstream. The paper examines how early design decisions can influence productivity across the construction lifecycle.

Established in 2020, the Construction Productivity Taskforce brings together leading organizations from across the built environment in the UK to improve construction productivity through actionable insights and collaboration. 

Co-authored with Alan Bunting of British Land, the paper highlights key structural challenges affecting productivity in the UK construction industry and argues for a greater emphasis on design-stage decision-making to improve project performance and outcomes.

The UK construction sector remains a vital contributor to the economy, accounting for 6.4 percent of gross domestic product and employing 6–7 percent of the workforce. However, the sector continues to face productivity and output pressures, with construction output falling by 2 percent in the three months to January 2026.

Obayda’s contribution reflects SOM’s ongoing focus on design-led approaches that strengthen coordination between clients, designers, and delivery teams, supporting more efficient and sustainable delivery of projects.