Consultants are warning contractors to protect project data or risk vital information walking out the door with redundant staff.

The industry is braced for a round of contract disputes sparked by covid-19 related delays and cost increases.

And contractors are expected to lay off thousands of staff as the government furlough scheme winds down.

Consultant HKA director Lori Noeth said: “Dealing with claims is a lot more difficult where project staff are no longer available, and their collective knowledge is lost.

“Information needs to be carefully collated now prior to the departure of key staff so their project knowledge is captured in records rather than just committed to memory.”

Loeth recommends documenting everything electronically and using indexing software to make searches easier.

She said: “Contractors need to keep a tight hold on their project data to give themselves the best chance of success with future claims.”