Five key steps to a successful office transformation

There are a number of things to consider when thinking about refurbishing or relocating your workspace. To ensure you are investing in the things that your business and your people need, we recommend following five essential steps to help ensure a smooth workplace transformation.

Set a clear vision for your office

It is vital to ensure senior management are in place and committed from the outset of your workplace transformation. Board level executives –including the CEO – need to create a clear vision of what the transformation is trying to achieve and what success looks like.

The support and leadership of senior executives sends a clear message to employees that the transformation of your space is a business priority. It also helps to ensure fast decision making and that the project will be delivered on-time and within budget.

I think we can highlight key roles here such as HR, facilities and office managers as they play a big role in influencing the decision

Analyse your workplace

To ensure the transformation of your workplace is successful, it will require input from the backroom to the boardroom. An in-depth analysis of the future goals of the business, as well an evaluation of what the business and its people want and need from the workspace, will ensure money is spent wisely.

Many companies have realised that by using their space more efficiently, they can lease less space and save tens of thousands of pounds on rent per annum.

Involve your employees

Understanding the needs of your workforce is the best way to ensure the success of your workplace transformation. Ensuring that employees are listened to helps to bring them on board with changes in the workplace. The priorities of employees might be different to those of the senior leadership team, and it is important to understand what would boost their happiness and productivity.

Engaging directly with your staff through methods such as focus workshops, collaborative sessions, interviews and will help create a meaningful change management strategy to support the businesses’ greatest assets – its people. They will feel part of the journey, making adoption and success of the new space will be greater.

Data driven office design

Conducting workplace analysis will yield data on how and when your workspace is being used – this will form the basis of your transformation plan. Anything that can be analysed in relation to the design and its impact on employee happiness and productivity, should be considered. The more forensic the evaluation, the greater the chance that your workplace transformation will be a success, but even a short analysis will provide insights which can save money and increase productivity. Can we link to a workplace strategy case study?

Collaborative office transformation

Discussing proposed changes with your employees throughout the process can help to motivate them and ensure they are on board with their new workspace. Getting feedback from employees will make them feel part of the process and identify potential problems that may otherwise have gone unnoticed.
An environment that is pleasant to work in minimises stress and promotes wellbeing, and creates a space that employees want to come to. Businesses that take the time to properly plan for their workplace transformation will reap these benefits, now and in the future.