Managing a project in a time of an acute global crisis is an
exercise of triage; in other words, a process of examining the
situation, deciding which challenges are the most serious,
dealing with those first, and constantly reassessing as you go. The
following are high-level suggestions for those engaged in the
management of ongoing construction projects. They reinforce many of
the comments already made in previous bulletins (see, in
particular, our publications dated March 30, 2020 and April 3, 2020).
Triaging amid the COVID-19 pandemic should follow this
sequence:
- Maintain site health and
safety.
This is self-evident, and it is certainly the message being
conveyed daily by every industry association, union and
governmental agency. Its importance is highlighted by the
increasing emphasis being placed by government upon taking the
necessary enhanced protective measures on site, backed up by a
much-increased level of enforcement, as well as the clear
