Construction Industry: Effects of COVID-19 on Project Continuity

This report examines the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry. It highlights the disruptions caused by the pandemic, including labor shortages and project delays, and explores various smarter solutions to mitigate these challenges. The report focuses on how digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics can improve project management, design, and construction processes. It discusses the benefits of prefab construction, including faster timelines, reduced labor requirements, and greener construction practices. The report also touches on how these technologies can help in creating safer construction sites, improve production, and address the rising demand for high-quality housing. Furthermore, it outlines strategies for industry recovery, emphasizing the importance of restarting, resetting, and reinventing construction practices to adapt to the new normal. The report concludes by underscoring the importance of technology in improving the construction industry and its ability to provide affordable and comfortable housing to the growing global population.

Effects of covid-19 on the continuity of
construction projects

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 Smarter solutions in the
construction industry in
COVID-19
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION
 Construction industry is getting harmed the most because of Covid-19 situation which has
made the projects come in the organization lesser
 The report consists of the factors which can help the customers have higher experience by
using technology and smart techniques for making the industry are able to operate
effectively in the market.

Smarter solutions in the construction
industry in COVID-19
 There are a lot of issues which have come
up in Construction industry because of the
pandemic situation which has risen globally
which is harming the functioning and
operations of this industry.
 There are a lot of values and important
factors which the company can have so that
there is going to be effective functioning.
 Disruption has come in this industry and the
executives and management will also have
to make the right decisions in order to be
able to operate and functioning effectively
so that the company will be able to make a
higher reputation.

Continue…
 The pandemic of COVID-19 is forcing the people to identify and implement safer and
smarter ways to build offices and homes.
 This can be done by prefab construction which is powered by the digital technology.
 This can help the people safely to create high quality and sustainable housing at speed.
 This can also be done by using the artificial intelligence and big data in all the processes of
design and construction which can help in transforming the building sector and also
benefitting the people to provide affordable and sustainable housing for all the individuals.

Continue…
 Labour problem was expected post COVID-19 which can lead to lesser production. But at
the same time the demand of the high quality housing will also rise especially in the big
cities.
 The people will prefer more spacious houses to prevent the risk of such infections in
future.
 At this time, the digital technology such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and
the robotics can be proved useful in improving the production and design processes.

Smarter Planning and Design
 The initiative could be taken by using the Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the
digital transformation of housing sector.
 This approach can be helpful to share the data in the limits of business and professional
disciplines which can facilitate the smarter construction. In this case, the smart
technologies such as AI can be used to enhance the process of design.
 Big data and complex algorithms can be used for the creation of standardized designs.
 These are then tested on the virtual platforms regarding the cost and the viability, local
environment and the specific ideas and requirements of the developer which can speed up
the whole process.

Safer construction
 The internet of things which is an interface helps in
connecting the digital and physical operations.
 It also helps in successful integration of the antennas,
sensors and other components into the envelope of building
which must be managed in factory scale setting. So, with
the right support of technology, this prefab construction
becomes safer, reliable and faster than the conventional
work of building.
 This helps in adjusting the production processes by
segregating the individuals and creating groups for working
together.
 The components which are pre-manufactured also requires
minimal labour for installation which also reduces the
accidents on site.
 Another digital technology which is emerging also includes
the GPS enabled devices that helps in monitoring the
people’s movements around the sites of building and
alerting the individuals when they come close or mix
accidently with outsiders.

Faster and more predictable timelines
 The smarter digital technologies also save a lot of time by consuming only the half time in
a project as compares to the conventional techniques of building
 It also increases the productivity after the lockdowns along with greater certainty. In order
to reduce the risks of second wave of infections of Coronavirus which are more faced by
the traditional building sites, the companies can use prefab construction which is gaining
momentum.
 The data from manufacturing and construction must be gathered and analysed to
understand, standardize and optimize the processes.

Greener construction
 Prefabrication can be used as a solution to the environmental issues. The construction
industry is the major contributor for the harmful CO2 which is released in the atmosphere
which leads to global warming.
 The industry needs to adapt various sustainable methods for reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases and fighting against the climate change.
 Factories can use the big data for organizing the deliveries in order to minimize the traffic.
 With the help of smart planning and data analytics the prefab construction can be able to
cut waste up-to 90% as compared to the conventional building. The main focus behind the
designing of prefab elements is the sustainability which needs data analytics for designing
homes with the less energy use and storage.

New homes for new era
 The people are facing various problems amidst the global health crisis. This is leading to
infection outbreaks and thereby low income, high deprivation clusters related to high
occupancy homes etc. which can only be solved by providing high quality homes.
 The digital technologies can support the unprecedented opportunity which can help in
providing the affordable and comfortable housing to the growing population globally.
 Robotics can be proved helpful as the technologically advanced sector in the production
process of housing. Robotics and Automation can be beneficial in speeding up the
production.
 This can be done by developing a blueprint for the hubs of global powerhouse that helps in
connecting the players of industry in the world which allows them to exchange the
practices, aligning the strategies and cooperating throughout the chain of supply and
production.

Restart, Reset and Reinvent
 A roadmap to Recovery was produced by CLC, which was considered as a strategy which
can drive the construction recovery.
 Restart: It increases output, minimize the disruption and maximize the employment. It
must be delivered in about 0-3 months.
 Reset: It helps in driving demand, strengthening the supply chain capability and increasing
the productivity in 3 to 12 months.
 Reinvent: It transforms the industry of construction completely by delivering better value
and by doing collaboration and partnership. Its results are seen in about 12-24 months.