With coronavirus restrictions easing across the country from today, a new survey by Association for Project Management (APM) has found that the biggest concern for project professionals working in construction is the lack or shortage of essential materials and supplies post-lockdown. Cost increases for customers and clients (cited by 54%), reduced profits (cited by 54%) and projects being delayed or cancelled (53%) were the main reasons given.

With the majority of project professionals (63%) in the construction sector working remotely since March 2020, APM’s survey of over 1,000 project managers, carried out by research company Censuswide,  also reveals that ways of working such as a flexible or ‘hybrid’ approach are seen as the biggest opportunity for the project profession, stated by nearly a third (29%) of respondents.

Of those professionals who have been working remotely, learning to manage time effectively (23%), being more proactive (19%), coordinating disparate stakeholders (18%) and developing the skills to work autonomously (18%), were cited as the most important lessons learned for delivering projects effectively during the lockdown period.

Another concern raised by project managers is the level of anxiety felt about returning to the office, with over half (53%) of those whose organisation is planning a return to the office saying they feel anxious.

The main reasons cited are respondents being worried about catching another illness apart from coronavirus (46%), concerned about catching Covid-19 (32%) and worried about slipping back into bad working habits associated with the workplace (25%).

Mark Hepworth, acting CEO at APM, said: “The pandemic has tested the ability of organisations to effectively deliver projects, with disruptions to the supply chain and adapting to new ways of working during lockdown.

“Our survey highlights that many in the profession are feeling anxious about a return to the office, and so it is important that the appropriate mental health support mechanisms are put in place for staff returning, alongside the necessary measures. As the chartered body for the project profession, APM is committed to supporting and helping the project community, and for individuals who are feeling anxious or concerned at this time.”

APM has worked with the mental health charity Mind, and published a free-to-access mental health toolkit for project professionals and their employers.