How a Project Management Consultant Future Proofs Your Office Redesign

Remote work is slowly being written off by big companies. Meta, Goldman Sachs and even Zoom, a critical tool for remote work, are all requiring full-time employees to come into the office.

With many employees preferring to work at home and some supporting a hybrid arrangement, a return-to-office policy will need to be compelling to be effective. An office redesign may be in order to ensure your employees show up onsite fully engaged.

Securing Your Investment

An office by itself is already a considerable investment. You’ll want to make sure it serves its purpose in providing a functional, appealing space for people to work in.

A well-designed office facilitates efficiency, productivity and creativity and conveys your brand as a business. To secure your ROI, acquiring specialised support from an accomplished project management consultant is a smart move. This professional service relieves you of having to oversee every aspect of the office redesign, from hiring key personnel to safeguarding assets.

Whether you’re considering a complete redesign or a partial renovation, project management ensures timely and efficient delivery. The best service will provide insightful ideas on how you can turn your office today into an attractive and effective workspace for the future.

A New Way of Working

The modern office space is no longer just about having the right furniture and layout. The decision goes beyond choosing an open layout or sprucing up a traditional layout, with enclosed offices and semi-open cubicles. The priority now is focusing on meeting the needs of employees while leaving room to adapt to changing circumstances (e.g., pandemic, financial crises).

With the right project management services, your renovation can incorporate the four key trends in office design:

a. Flexibility in workplaces

b. Smart technology

c. Sustainability

d. Modern amenities to help prevent employee burnout

Experienced consultants know what design elements will work and how to deliver them according to your requirements. For instance, smart offices are fast-becoming an alluring concept, but not all technologies may be relevant to your processes.

How will these office design trends help your business implement a successful return-to-office policy?

a) Flexible Workplaces

The modern office looks and functions more like shared office spaces because the primary goal is to ensure flexibility. If your business has opted to do a hybrid arrangement, fewer employees will be using the space at the same time. That means downsizing as well as reconfiguring the placement of your office furniture. Your consultant may tap reliable suppliers to provide your renovation with modular furniture, which is easy to rearrange should working styles or workflows change.

Flexibility could also mean maximising your new office space if you’ve leased a smaller one. With a hybrid arrangement, your office can introduce ‘hot desking’ wherein employees don’t have assigned desks. Your office redesign can further incorporate more spaces that allow for collaboration between employees through meeting pods and casual meeting areas.

b) Smart Offices

‘Work smart not hard’ gains a new meaning in future-proofed office spaces. With new inventive tools being introduced at breakneck speed, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to extended reality and 5G networks, businesses have greater capabilities in operations, customer service and innovation. How can you use them in your office redesign?

The main technologies will be to facilitate virtual collaboration and communication. Even for businesses that have shifted to full on-site work, virtual tools may still be necessary to communicate with clients and other stakeholders. Beyond video conferencing platforms and virtual reality tools, the following technologies can help you redesign a smart office:

1. Smart lighting with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, connectivity and analytics

2. IotTsensors that detect occupancy, offering insight into office usage

3. Smart desks that are searchable and reservable through an online booking system

4. Intelligent climate control that detects usage patterns, improving efficiency and reducing carbon footprint

c) Sustainable Initiatives

Future-proofed office spaces prioritise waste reduction, energy efficiency and sustainable materials. Your project management consultant could help you identify areas for integrating sustainable practices.

If switching to renewable energy for powering your entire workspace is not in the budget just yet, your office redesign can use recycled and sustainable materials. Some of these materials include stone wool, which is 100% plastic-free and made from natural stone, and Forest Stewardship Certification Wood, which helps lower your overall carbon footprint.

d) Modern Amenities

Smart businesses recognise the value of every good employee. Part of that recognition focuses on ensuring they have what they need to relieve stress. The future-proofed office considers employee self-care into the redesign. What does this mean? It means adding amenities that will allow them to ‘breathe’ in between a series of meetings and tight deadlines.

Your redesign can turn unused spaces into yoga or meditation rooms. If there is still room, perhaps a fitness centre, day care and game room could also be beneficial for your employees.

Investing in the Future of Your Business

Nothing wrong with a return-to-work policy. It may even be welcomed by some of your employees who perform better with in-person interactions. However, returning to the office must enable a seamless transition to working onsite.

With an office redesign that is handled by a highly capable project manager, you ensure a return on your investment and secure the future of your business.