For many of us, the "new normal" with the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, the way we spend our free time, and how we look at doing things. As AutoDesk points out in their article "How to Prepare for the Future of Construction Work Today" this new or revised outlook is especially true for construction.
Some of the key takeaways from the article that we agree with, and experience every day include the following:
- Technology and the future of construction are no longer something to worry about in the future. Some of the most successful companies in the industry have adapted quickly and embraced new technologies to support their workforce's well-being while optimizing the efficiency of their operations. Adopting automation, AI, and other analytic tools as a means to protect and enhance your team's performance will continue to set some companies apart from the rest.
- Your people are just as important as ever. The uncertainty of when and if we'll ever go back to the "old normal" doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. An adaptable and resilient workforce makes a huge difference to your company and your projects' success. Discovering new ways to keep your team connected, yet safely distanced, while fostering collaboration and creativity will be how many companies attract and retain the industry's best talent in the days and months to come.
- Safety has and always will be a top priority on job-sites; however, COVID-19 has expanded the meaning beyond hard hats and steel-toed shoes. Circling back to the first point on embracing new technology to keep your team safe, many industry leaders must now ask themselves, "Does the team really need to do this on-site, or is there another way to do things?" Reducing the risk of exposing your team and others to the virus should be a top priority to us all, even if it means we have to learn how to do things a little differently than we did before.
All-in-all, many of us have been in this industry for a long time. And the saying “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” was one that we’ve frequently embraced. While we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic, and beyond, now is the time for many of us to rethink, adapt, and embrace alternative ways that will continue to catapult our industry forward, keep our people safe, and drive us into the future of construction and new ways to work.
