Sonny Jester
Managing Director, Cumming, Atlanta, GA
“We’re fostering direct conversations between owners and contractors about potential delays and disruptions, and working together to find consensus solutions.”
Is the number of workers on your projects holding steady or have there been changes?
For now, holding steady. Most of our work is claims and dispute work, but we are anticipating that the numbers of claims may go up; if that happens, the workload will increase significantly.
How are project schedules being impacted?
In some states, such as California, there have been suspensions of work and a decrease in available manpower everywhere, which will prolong project durations and result in claims for extensions of time and extended general conditions, among others.
What are some of your solutions to help alleviate schedule issues?
We’re fostering direct conversations between owners and contractors about potential delays and disruptions, and working together to find consensus solutions.
Any insight into how to maintain team member morale during a time like this?
Be open and have those frank discussions about the problem from all perspectives and through all phases, from design through closeout. We have to communicate and work together to figure out the most realistic and effective way to complete the project on the best terms possible.
Have project risk factors changed in type or magnitude? If so, how are those factors being mitigated?
Yes, time impacts are growing, which results in cost impacts. The danger of defective or substandard work is increasing, which introduces more potential risk. The way to deal with that is to focus even more on diligent project oversight and managing the project with realistic expectations amidst possibly reduced productivity.
What are some of the most creative solutions you’ve seen to the unique challenges we’re currently facing?
We’re conducting all meeting virtually. That should be done even for site walks, if possible. Drones and remote photography hold promise as well.
Do you see the industry’s approach to construction changing over the long term in response to some of the lessons we’ve learned during this crisis?
Yes, I think there will be more virtual meetings and less onsite time. But this is construction and for some things you just have to be there in person — having a physical onsite presence should never go away completely.