The construction industry continues to be hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but businesses now are getting ready to ramp up their efforts to move forward. Many company executives believe they know how to continue to be successful. Still, it is truly a new world to navigate, one that comes with many considerations about how to rebuild or protect the business’s supply chain. Most organizations have been impacted by slowed or stopped processes as a result of COVID-19 and the following information includes tips on how to strengthen supply chains and safely reopen businesses.
The pandemic has been a clarion call for businesses to evaluate current internal processes and future planning to ensure they are ready for a repeat occurrence. One extremely critical aspect of post-COVID planning is understanding how essential it is to ensure the protection of supply chains as much as possible.
Protecting the Supply Chain
Even before companies plan to bring back workers—or possibly concurrently—it is imperative to understand the depth and breadth of the organizations’s supply chains. Supply chain interruption does not only affect a business, it also impacts companies and people on either end of the supply chain. Remember, there was a considerable interruption of consumer goods at the beginning of the pandemic—items such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies and certain food items were unavailable. When supply chains are suddenly interrupted or halted, it has an impact far beyond its immediate reach.
Post COVID-19, the most crucial supply chain risk management strategies include an in-depth assessment of every part of the supply chain using a risk-based supplier evaluation process. The value of identifying mutual dependencies allows the organization to understand and clarify supplier dependencies at least one level down. A key question to ask is, “are the suppliers of my suppliers ready?” Determine and create strong back-up supplier relationships that can help mitigate risk if first-line suppliers can no longer support business needs.
Critical suppliers, especially single suppliers of single services or goods, must be evaluated for strength in various areas, including financial health, verified and appropriate quality controls, health and safety management and associated risks, and overall business sustainability. Taking the time to source and create new relationships with potential new suppliers can reduce stress and add security to your supply chain.
The right technology and real-time data can provide insights to mitigate potential supply chain risk in the future, so using new platforms can provide the right tools to provide the visibility required to make the best decisions for a business.
Going Back to Work
It’s increasingly important to ensure workers’ safety as they return to the job in the wake of the pandemic. Extensive thought and planning will be required as organizations plan for the physical protection of their workers and suppliers, as well as building/facility management.
Here are six essential tasks to take on before employees come back to work.
Worksite or Building Preparation
This set of tasks includes initial deep cleaning, creating clear cleaning plans for the worksite, doing pre-work return inspections and mechanical systems’ checks.
Prepare for Questions
Many employees or contractors may have questions about safety and other issues, so formulate answers in advance. Questions about communication from management, which employees will return on what schedule, how to manage anxiety and others may well arise.
Plan and Communicate Access Control
Clarify who has access to the worksite to help keep work progressing. Clear instructions about any reception or guest areas are essential, along with shipping and receiving. Defined visitor policies also are important before reopening for work.
Social Distancing
Reducing the transmission of the virus through social distancing is a proven method, but it also brings forth issues such as density reduction, worker schedules and work traffic patterns. Plan well in advance for these considerations.
Work Site Cleanliness
Maintaining a clean work environment must be addressed on a daily basis by finding the best ways to keep worksites clean. Other areas to consider are high-touch spots such as doors, windows, kitchen items and personal workspaces. By adjusting work schedules, companies can minimize transmission by reducing gatherings in common work areas.
Communicate Transparently and Frequently
Changing situations can be frightening for many people, and a way to mitigate those fears is through frequent and transparent communication from management. Put in the time and effort to regularly disseminate relevant information to help the business keep moving forward.
Planning for Business Continuity
With the continuous adjustments required in the post-COVID world, take time to create a real business continuity playbook. It will help companies pivot quickly if necessary with carefully laid plans that are updated on a timely basis.
As Louis Pasteur once said, luck favors the prepared. Building and nurturing a culture of preparedness creates the ability to take advantage of circumstances that help companies grow. Be ready by addressing the tasks above, and organizations can find new ways to thrive in a post-pandemic business environment.
