My son officially started kindergarten today. He started a bit differently than his sisters did though. His class is currently fully online and at home. I anticipate that this class delivery method will test the patience of his teacher, as well as, a few moms and dads until we (hopefully) get to start school on campus in mid-October. That being said, if an overstressed teacher, confused parents and crazy kindergarteners can stumble through working together and figuring things out, shouldn't construction pros do the same at the office and occasionally in the trailer?
Yes, we should be able to work more remotely. Some in our industry have adapted to the current times and restrictions and may never look back. Others are slower to accommodate our currently reality and may go back to the way things were as soon as restrictions ease. Executives and other road warriors are itching to get back in the air and in different hotels on a regular basis. Why is this?
Direct cost savings can be derived via less real estate, vehicle mileage, fuel and out of town travel. There are also the less quantifiable time savings and schedule adjustments available as a result of reduced travel and transportation time. More work can get done or, in an industry where burnout isn't uncommon, construction pros can spend more time on their health, their families or other things that keep them motivated and fresh when they are working. While on site supervision will likely be required in some for or fashion for the foreseeable future, we can look for alternatives that meet the needs of clients but while better accommodating the overall personal needs for all kinds of roles, while reducing prices to clients and improving contractor bottom lines. We can also source and employ the best people across the nation and world wide if we can get comfortable working in remote situations.
If a kindergarten teacher, some five year olds and their parents can work through change and make good things happen, shouldn't a bunch of hard working construction pros be able to do the same? In a time full of lots of change, it seems to make sense to test new ideas and change when people are used to changes on a regular and recurring basis. Through COVID driven changes, we can build projects, build better teams and build better companies.
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