When it comes to refreshing, renovating or re-inventing your work environment, there are many best practices and smart strategies. And one of the most vital — yet often overlooked — elements is rooted in office space planning. Here are three costly misconceptions that quickly turn what should be a successful project into a stressful scenario:
1. Space planning is just about deciding where people work.
Space planning is not just about logistics: on a deeper level, it is about strategy. Yes, assigning work areas is one of the outcomes of this process (and that is the part that everyone sees from the outside). But the most important questions that decision-makers need to answer are about utilization and optimization. After all, office space is a costly investment. Failing to exploit full value is a waste of money that continues day after day.
2. Space planning is independent of furniture-related decisions.
Space planning decisions directly impact — and not always positively — furniture-related decisions. Why “not always positively?” Because unless businesses take furniture into consideration as part of the space planning effort — and not as something to deal with after decisions have been made — then they will needlessly limit their options. For example, a business may want to add a benching seating arrangement to encourage employee collaboration, create a more dynamic and modern environment, and also to save money. But if their office space plan doesn’t align with this objective, then benching may not be possible. Or at the very least, it will not be optimized (i.e. they will not get as much value from benching as they could).
3. You can do office space planning DIY to save money and time.
Space planning cannot be done by obediently following “simple step-by-step” instructions provided by a piece of software. That is like trying to understand someone’s unique and intricate personality through one of those “Which Game of Thrones character are you?” apps. Sure, these can be fun (unless you are not happy with your character, that is), but it is not even close to being scientific. In the same light, some online software can be helpful for brainstorming purposes. But just as each person is different, each office environment is different: not just in terms of physical size and dimensions (which can be plugged into a computer), but in terms of marketplace dynamics and workplace culture (which cannot). Instead of saving money and time, businesses that take the DIY route to office space planning will end up spending much more than they budgeted, and it will take far longer than planned.
The Bottom Line
Office space planning should be creative and energizing — but also focused and strategic. Steering clear of the above will help ensure that your office refresh, renovation or re-invention is a profitable investment, rather than a costly expense.
To learn more, contact the Key Interiors team today. Your consultation with us is free.
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