What Challenges Are Engineers Facing as We Continue to Deal With COVID-19?

Though vaccines are gradually being rolled out, the COVID-19 crisis is expected to affect business operations at least through the end of 2021, with knock-on effects potentially lasting for years.

Here are some of the challenges faced by many engineers.

Remote Working Tools

As the pandemic swept the globe, businesses around the world moved as many operations as possible online. But trying to get everyone remote access to the same tools has been challenging. Most engineers are working on laptops from home, but others are using tablets, desktop computers, or even smartphones. Managers have had to make tough decisions about which cloud-based systems to leverage, from CAD systems to videoconferencing.

Many companies are starting to settle into a routine. But you can expect some hiccups to continue as you tweak your plans for a smooth remote working experience.

Adapting to the New Reality

When massive shutdowns were instituted in March 2020, few could imagine that we would still be in this situation nearly a year later. It’s one thing to work from your kitchen table, while trying to help your kids with online school, for two weeks. It’s something else altogether to keep it up long term.

In the months ahead, teams will need to figure out what’s working and what isn’t. You may need to help your employees carve out a private workspace at home, find ways to socialize remotely with your coworkers, and develop creative plans for minimizing distractions. With so much going on in the world right now, you and your team members may even need to force yourselves to turn off the news now and then.

If you’re going into the office part-time or full-time, you’ve spent nearly a year learning about masking, social distancing, and other measures to reduce the spread of the virus. You’re probably exhausted, but you’ll need to find ways to keep your spirits up and double down on your precautions.

Technical Difficulties

Depending on the type of engineering you do, as a manager, you may be on the front lines of dealing with your office’s technical concerns. You might find yourself on call to help others set up their networks, install files, and access secure data. You may also be responsible for managing data security for a widely dispersed team working across a variety of devices.

Engineering is a complex field that involves many different individual tasks. As the pandemic rages on, you’ll have to think more creatively than ever before to ensure that timelines are met while following all COVID protocols. Fortunately, though some challenges may linger, most experts believe that we will start to return to some semblance of normal by late this year.

Build A Forward-Thinking Tech Team With PEAK 

If you are looking for talented engineers who can help your organization achieve its goals in the new year, contact the experts at PEAK Technical Staffing today to learn how we can help you access cutting-edge talent.