COVID-19 Impact on Fabrication and Design in APL’s Concept Design and Realization Branch

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic upended normalcy around the world, particularly in the workplace. At the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), staff members in the Concept Design and Realization Branch had to adjust their work practices to prevent disease outbreaks while continuing to design and fabricate critical components for diverse missions. In addition to adhering to Lab-wide safety measures such as social distancing and cleaning protocols, the design and fabrication teams modified their workstations and processes; adjusted work schedules; adhered to expanded cleaning protocols; and leveraged digital communication and collaboration tools to ensure continuity of operations. As the pandemic has waned, some of these measures have been phased out. However, some of these tools and practices have proven to be highly valuable under normal operations and have become part of the new normal. Using these tools and methods, the design and fabrication teams successfully delivered major projects over the course of the pandemic, demonstrating resourcefulness, adaptability, and commitment in the face of difficulty.