As the BC COVID-19 restrictions ease, you may be preparing yourself and your team to move back to the office. During this time of transition, you may also be looking to rearrange your current office space or potentially relocate to a spot that suits your new requirements. There are many things to consider in planning an office space as well as tips to keep in mind for preparing to move back to the office.
1. Evaluate Your Current Office Space
The first step in planning any office space layout is to really look at what you are working with in your current space. Consider which areas were laid out well for your team and which areas caused spatial problems. Do you need to move to a new location altogether, or simply rearrange within your current office space? Keep in mind that some of your needs may have changed since the last time you were in the office. Consider engaging your employees with a quick survey to make sure you are incorporating feedback from the entire team to help guide your office space planning decisions.
2. Refresh & Re-organize Your Office Space
The easiest way to truly evaluate your space and its potential is by having it clear from excess furniture and clutter. Sort through your furniture and keep only what you and your team cannot function without. During this phase, it is also nice to start a wish list of things you wish you had or spaces you would like to create within your office (i.e. meeting pods, ergonomic chairs, more biophilic elements). Recycle and remove all the excess furniture that isn’t serving a purpose or fulfilling a need. This will also create a welcoming and fresh atmosphere for the return of your office staff.
3. Work With an Office Space Planning Expert
Choose to partner with an Office Move Coordinator who is skilled in working with businesses to make office spaces functional. This person will take the time to learn your business and then draw out the office space out to perfectly suit both the needs of the business and staff. An Office Move Coordinator also has the ability to organize furniture installations, vendors and other service providers that you may require when the plan is ready to be put into action.
4. Consider Your Office Move and Space Planning Options
After evaluating your current office space and needs, consider what you have to work with and what other options are on the table. Do you need to think about an alternate office location? Is the office size still the right fit for your team? Is there a way to make your current office space work better for your business? Consider all the possibilities between re-planning the space versus moving offices before you dive into anything head on.
5. Prioritize Office Workflows
Lastly, it is important to have workflow top of mind as you plan your office space. Concentrate on the common day-to-day tasks and what kind of space plans makes sense. For example, which people need to be grouped together for ease of collaboration, and what equipment do they need quick access to? Think of your staff, clients, and equipment requirements and how these three can work together so that your office space is functional, intentional and set up for success.
If you are seeking office space planning services or a commercial moving company for your return to the office, consider DLO – Vancouver’s corporate office moving experts. Contact us by email at go@dlo.ca or phone at 604-254-0135 to create the perfect office space plan for your business.
