The past few months have changed the way people and organizations interact both internally and externally considering communication and the workplace. The workplace and organizational methods have been forced to change processes by becoming more flexible, supportive and more readily adaptable to changing circumstances. The physical workspace has also changed with these new dynamics. While it can be difficult to navigate these changes, with the right management team, the process is seamless.
What exactly is change management and why is it important in commercial design?
Change management is an all-encompassing process that sets up a business to prepare, support, and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational changes. Change management is meant for both the internal and external processes of an organization. It is a way to support clients and their employees by supporting transformations both organizationally and physically. Change management can be a daunting task for an organization, big or small. However, with the right management team to assist, these changes are seamless. Clear communication and engaging employees and staff throughout all stages of the process mitigates the risk of employees or staff feeling that they are not aware of the workplace changes being implemented showing that an organization values its employees which improves employee productivity, satisfaction and retention.
What does change management have to do with commercial interior design?
Change management and interior design focus on people and how they interact within a space and organization. Where employees and departments are placed is dependent on workflow and many other integral factors that a skilled management team will identify. Maintaining an open line of communication is just a small part of how change management positively effects the workplace. Interior design and change management also focus on preparing a space and optimizing it for employee use based on the organizational chart. In conjunction, organizational changes often call for new office layouts to accommodate these transformations.
With productivity in mind, an interior designer and facility planner strategically designs layouts and floor plans to accommodate staff changes whether it be a decrease or increase of staff in the office. Interior designers aid with move coordination, changes in workforce and redesigns to accommodate business needs. During projects with new design and layouts or initiatives such as implementing green and LEED initiatives, change management and interior design teams develop the implementation processes as well as properly manage expectations through construction schedules. A designer can transform organizational changes to focus on internal branding and company culture through a design that best reflects a dynamic organization including workplace flexibility and installing new technology.
At HF Planners we are a full-service interior firm with a great team of office experts to help with all change management and interior needs. Transform your workplace today to be productive, safe and comfortable for all employees during these unprecedented and dynamic times.
