Time Management Strategies for Contractors: Overcoming Challenges in the Malaysian Construction Industry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective - This research aims to explore how contractors managed on-site construction work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, with a focus on the time management challenges they encountered. It seeks to determine the procedures employed, identify the challenges faced, and develop comprehensive strategies to ensure timely project delivery within contractual obligations. Methodology/Technique - The study adopts a mixed-method approach, involving an extensive literature review and questionnaire surveys to gather data from construction industry stakeholders, particularly contractors. Findings – The research reveals that the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at construction sites, mandated by the Malaysian government during the pandemic, posed significant challenges to contractors in managing work progress and productivity. Strategies developed in this study provide actionable guidance for effectively addressing these time management challenges. Novelty - This research contributes original insights into the specific time management challenges faced by contractors during the pandemic and proposes practical, industry-specific strategies to mitigate these issues. It bridges the gap in existing literature by focusing on pandemic-specific constraints in the Malaysian construction industry. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: K11, L74, P46 Keywords: Construction work, COVID-19 Pandemic, On-site, Strategies, Time management. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Fauzi, P.N.F.N.M.; Pasaruddin, M.N. (2025). Time Management Strategies for Contractors: Overcoming Challenges in the Malaysian Construction Industry during the Covid-19 Pandemic, J. Mgt. Mkt. Review, 10(1), 24 – 34. https://doi.org/10.35609/jmmr.2025.10.1(2)