Find Top 10 Tips For Efficient Space Planning 

Efficient Space Planning 

It is a good idea to enter the new year with a new office look. This requires undertaking a space planning project. This is more than moving one piece at a time to see how great things look. Using a patchwork strategy is very disruptive than practical. Successful space planning requires considering some essential guidelines you are about to discover below. 

1. Capacity

Planning office space requires considering the number of people it accommodates. This allows including everyone’s space requirements for full-time staff, part-time staff, consultants, contractors, and other kinds of workers in your office. Knowing the number of people in your office is an important step towards efficient space planning. This sets the tone for all decision making processes regarding your office space.

2. Available space

After determining the number of people in your office, the next thing is to assess the total square footage in your current office premises. You also have to consider how it is shared among the various departments. This allows detecting any errors in the precious space allocation. Additionally, it allows discovering space that you can use for other purposes. Undertaking appropriate utilization of available space is an important step in office space planning. The process allows determining your real space requirements to ensure efficient use. 

3. Floor plan

For efficient office space planning, understanding the floor is very important. This considers the available space and number of employees. This process allows determining the suitable floor plan to incorporate in your space. It also determines where you need an open office concept or other fixtures including:

  • Hot desks
  • Desk neighborhoods
  • Flexible work spaces
  • Individual workstations
  • Activity-based work spaces

4. Demand

Another consideration before during space planning is to consider the demand. Perhaps there is an immediate demand for more space in your office. Modern offices have various space requirements including group work spaces, hot desks, and quiet workrooms. It is high time to consider incorporating any of these in your office for the new year. Incorporating this in your space planning will ensure that the office is supportive of staff work styles. 

5. Workflow

The dynamics of your office environment play a significant role during space planning. You have to consider things including the amount of space required for the walkways. Other considerations including the location of equipment frequently used in the office like the copy machine. Additionally, mind about where the desks are to face to avoid disruptions. The regular flow in your office should accommodate staff movement without disruption work.

6. Brand culture

The culture in your office is a key element in determining employee engagement. This makes culture a cornerstone during office planning. You have to consider aspects such as the location of desks, and collaborative spaces to boost teamwork in your office. It is very important to consider design elements that reinforce your core culture values such as funky artwork, introducing greenery, and other fun elements. 

7. Cost involved 

One of the most significant considerations for office space planning is the total cost of the project. The various costs involved might become a constraint to the project. It is very important to prioritize significant features that might affect the whole project. Ensure to execute these first. Minding about costs is very important when undertaking any office rearrangement. The trick is to determine the total cost of the redesign project and the potential return on investment. 

8. Company growth

Space planning should never focus on current requirements alone. It is important to think ahead and plan for potential company growth. This is not for just a few months. Ensure that your office planning recognizes dynamic trends in the industry to incorporate employee requirements. Efficient office planning today will come with less work disruption in the future. 

9. Fixed variables

When undertaking office space planning, consider fixed variables. Mapping out fire exits, doors, structural components are essential for efficient space utilization. Foreseeing the fixed variables will protect you from improvising wildly. Any mistakes at this stage might significantly affect the initial space planning standards of your office.  

10. Compliance

Finally, understanding compliance standards are very important before undertaking space planning. Safety standards and other government workplace standards are required to be complied with when designing an office. You have no control over these but you to incorporate them into your design. This helps to avoid fines, lawsuits, and hazards. Work with a professional company with expertise and experience handling space planning. This company will understand how to ensure that your project complies with standards. 

Conclusion

All the above considerations are measurable to align them with metrics and goals. Working with a professional agency allows aligning them with cost efficiency, rate utilization, and employee satisfaction. Understanding the variables highlighted above gives an outlook on effective space planning. Careful consideration of factors like the number of employees, available space, and growth potential is key to successful space planning.