Planning the layout of your office space to be an optimized setting for your operations will require more than rearranging desks and stocking the office kitchen. Factors such as natural light, employee privacy, acoustics, density, traffic flow, and more dramatically affect the work experience and, therefore, employee productivity.
Whether you’re looking to move to a brand new location, or want to revamp your current space, here are a few things to consider when thinking about office space optimization:
#1 Start with a plan
Your office space will benefit from careful planning that considers the basic conditions and circumstances of your company: the number of workstations needed, the location of the space, and of course, your budget. Be sure you consider the individual requirements of your employees and company, and tailor your planning accordingly.
#2 Consider diversity
There no one-size-fits-all solution that works for all office inhabitants. Therefore, it is wise to plan a variety of different spaces and environments. A combination of quiet areas, collaboration areas, and areas designed for leisure will add flexibility and help each employee create the best work environment for themselves.
#3 Take note of the spaces’ requirements
For many people, planning their company’s dream office is an engaging and creative task. However, it is important to think about the properties of the space that cannot be changed and work creatively within this framework. Things such as location, natural light sources, AC or server rooms, and accessibility requirements should be at the baseline in order to avoid blind spots in the planning process.
#4 If you can, include your employees in the process
Research indicates that when employees have some degree of control over their workspaces or work location, they experience higher job satisfaction and productivity. If your company is small to medium, you can get some employees involved in picking up furniture or getting their opinion on several different layout plans before going forward. If your company is larger, you can poll your employees before the planning process to get a feel for their preferences.
#5 Plan for growth
One of the hardest things to do when planning an office space with office space planning in Malta is to plan for both the present and the future. On the one hand, you need your space to meet your company where it is. On the other hand, it is critical to consider your company’s growth projection, to make sure the space is sustainable in the long run. Always take into account your hiring strategy and future goals when designing your space, to make sure you save time and energy.
