Construction Digital Magazine April 2021 | Page 41

PROJECT MANAGEMENT to economic recovery . This will provide a ray of light amid the gloomier outlook for the sector , perhaps pointing to a way out of the current downturn .”
Operation delays impact revenues and fuel sustainability One of the biggest challenges is squaring the delays-cancellations-revenues conundrum .
A survey of US contractors by the Associated General Contractors of America revealed that just under 60 % of firms report that projects scheduled to start in 2020 have been postponed until 2021 while 44 % had projects cancelled in 2020 that have not yet been rescheduled .
Contractors have been building inventory , securing critical materials and long-lead items , and identifying alternative suppliers .
Long term , building in controlled environments makes sense in the ‘ new normal ’ where we are all more aware of movement and interaction . This will lead to more modular construction and fabrication off-site .
In tandem with the rise in climate change consciousness and sustainability , expect to see a parallel shift in demand toward more sustainable buildings and communities that promote healthier lifestyles , such as access to local amenities and outdoor space , higher standards on air quality , and recycled and sustainable materials .
Developing tech skillsets , tracking assets and raising efficiencies McKinsey observed that the construction industry is the ‘ least digitized ’ when imagining its digital future nearly five years ago : but it didn ’ t imagine the pandemic , which has driven more change in 12 months than the previous four years . From a slow start , the industry is now firmly on the digital highway – albeit it with a long journey ahead .
App development remains in its infancy with half of construction firms lacking the skills or resources to develop employee-facing mobile apps in-house , according to recent research by WorkMobile . Moreover , it found 63 % have experienced problems developing apps within a particular timeframe , and 56 % have been
constructionglobal . com 41