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Read the case study below and answer ALL the questions that follow. Lockdown forcing construction sector to think more strategically about tech adoption According to

Read the case study below and answer ALL the questions that follow.
Lockdown forcing construction sector to think more strategically about tech adoption
According to the results of a survey conducted by Construction Computer Software (CCS) amongst its clients,
stakeholders and industry partners, the lockdown has compelled the construction industry to think more strategically
about the adoption of technology, especially as it relates to communication and collaboration. The survey was conducted
to establish how the construction industry has been affected by the lockdown and what measures players are putting in
place to manage the current situation, as the sector is expected to play a major role in South Africas economic recovery
post the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project disruptions and delays
Some 70% of respondents said all their projects have been affected by disruptions or delays due to the Covid-19
pandemic and 52% of respondents from companies with a revenue of more than R1bn indicated that 100% of their
projects have been delayed or disrupted. These disruptions and delays are as a result of the lockdown measures
enforced by government, as well as shortages of materials, plants and equipment and PPE.
CCS CEO Andrew Skudder says while respondents expect all construction sectors to be affected by the pandemic in the
short-term, the building sector is expected to be the most affected.
The building sector is primarily funded by private sector clients, who are expected to cut back on investments due to the
anticipated economic decline as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Residential and retail investment is likely to be most
affected due to significant job losses, growing consumer financial stress and a lack of confidence following the Covid-19
enforced lockdowns.
He adds that infrastructure spending, including civil and roads, is expected to be less affected as this tends to be
government funded. Respondents suggest that government is likely to accelerate its infrastructure spend programme in
a bid to accelerate economic recovery and absorb unemployed labour into the employment market as quickly as
possible. Mining is expected to be least affected.
Private clients most affected
79% of respondents said private clients would be the most affected. Business and consumer confidence have been
negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, which is expected to result in a 6.1% decline in GDP in
2020. This supports the view that the building sector will be most affected as it is primarily funded by private clients.
State-owned enterprises, such as Eskom and Sanral, are expected to be least affected. Eskom, in particular, is an
essential service provider and has significant build programmes under way which have not been affected by the
lockdown. In addition, water authorities such as Rand Water, which is an extension of national government, are also
expected to be less affected as they too provide essential services, with infrastructure requiring ongoing maintenance
and upgrading.
Skudder says 77% of respondents indicated that on more than 20% of their projects, clients have invoked force majeure
clauses on their projects. Smaller companies seem to have been less affected with 67% of companies with less than
R100m revenue having more than 20% of their projects affected.This compares to 89% of R100m to R500m,79% of
R500m to R1bn and 80% of R1bn-plus revenue companies. Companies with a revenue of between R100m and R1bn
seem to have had the highest level of force majeure being invoked, with 57% of R100m to R500m companies having
81% to 100% of their projects being affected, compared to just 20% for companies with revenue of less than R1bn.
Managing the challenges presented by the pandemic
Skudder says a few major themes emerged in the survey. One was the increased need to keep the channels of
communication open, especially with employees, but also with clients and other stakeholders on projects. It is
undoubtedly healthier for businesses if people feel informed in times of great uncertainty. "Cost management is another
obvious theme, with companies implementing measures to manage costs and ensure liquidity stretches for as long as
possible. Interestingly, organisations have been terminating rental of plants and negotiating insurance premiums.
He says the construction industry is highly commercially driven, with stringent contracts in place that regulate the
relationship between contractors and their clients. Various steps need to be taken by construction companies to ensure
they position themselves for recovery and for the commercial entitlement they will need to establish as a result of the
crisis, he adds. He points to a new industry guide introduced by the UK governments Construction Leadership Council
Covid-19 Task Force, which offers practical advice to help contractors avoid expensive and long-running disputes over
the effects of the pandemic

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