The Project Lifecycle for a Workspace Design Project

The Project Lifecycle for a Workspace Design Project
By Amspec

The design of a workspace is an intrinsic part of company success. Not only is the style and design of the workspace reflective of a firm’s brand and personality, but the right workspace can nurture workforce productivity. If your working environment isn’t designed at its optimum, embarking on a workspace design project could prove an invaluable investment. Commercial property design-led construction specialists Amspec, map out a typical project lifestyle for a workspace design project.

1. Identify your workspace goals

   First and foremost, as with any design project, you will need to plan ahead.

   Ask yourself why do you need to alter your current workspace? Does new technology need installing? Does the infrastructure need updating? Has your workforce grown and you need more space? Perhaps you have re-branded and require a new office look and design?

   Determining the goals of the project will help ensure the ultimate design objectives are achieved.

2. Map out a project schedule

   You will also need to plan a project schedule. Create a deadline for the design project and decide whether the work will take place in ‘office hours’ or will be conducted ‘out of hours’. Will the project involve phased moves?

3. The budget

   Every design project requires a budget. Set yourself a realistic budget and, when planning the workspace design, ensure that every aspect of the project is included in the budget to help avoid any nasty surprises.

4. Find the right design team

   Once you have all the necessary preparations in place, the next stage of the project lifecycle should involve getting the right team together.
   You might have already worked with a quality commercial design and construction company, or you may be ‘starting from scratch’. Either way, it pays to get several quotes from different companies. Always carry out research on the contractor and ask to see references, as one of the most important aspects of seamless workspace design is having the right team for the job.

5. Develop a floor plan

   Once the team is in place a floor plan should ideally be drawn up. This plan should include the layout of the workspace, and where the likes of break areas, canteens, meeting rooms and reception areas are going to be located.

6. Execution phase

   Once all the required plans are in place and everyone involved with the design project is in agreement, the ‘execution phase’ should get underway.
   All design and construction work will be carried out during this stage of the project. If the scheme involves amendments to IT infrastructure in the workspace this will also be completed during this stage.

7. The finishing touches

   Once all the major construction and design efforts have been made, it’s time to put the finishing touches onto the design project.

   From placing plants on window sills to help give staff a natural boost, to putting artefacts round the workspace that are representative of the your company’s unique brand and identity, the finishing touches are an important part of a workspace design project lifecycle.

8. The closeout phase

   The final lifecycle stage of a workspace design project is often referred to as the ‘closeout phase’. All the renovations have been made, workers can move into their new space, any outstanding payments can be made to the design and construction team and you can sit back and admire your new and improved workspace office design.

This blog post was written by Amspec, a design-led, creative workspace construction company based in the north of England. Amspec combines cutting-edge design with traditional construction methods, providing companies with a workspace that works for them.