Study examines Covid impact on construction projects
An Auckland International Campus student and staff have explored how the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped project management practices in Auckland's construction sector in a research article published in Design+ journal.
The research was conducted by student Rudina Leksani, and co-published with Principal Lecturer Dr Olufemi Omisakin, and Senior Lecturer Yury Zhukov.
According to the article, the construction sector plays a significant role in New Zealand's economy through its contribution to gross domestic product and employment. The Covid-19 pandemic created substantial disruption across the industry.
The study examined how project management methodologies, tools, and techniques were affected by the pandemic and offers practical insights for stakeholders, policymakers, and project management professionals.
The researchers adopted a qualitative approach, conducting 10 semi-structured interviews with project managers and construction professionals selected through purposive non-probability sampling.
The article identified remote working policies, supply chain disruptions, and skilled labour shortages as key drivers of change. The findings suggest organisations should strengthen risk management practices, develop more resilient and diversified supply chains, and invest in training and upskilling to improve project efficiency and reduce rework.
