Change management for an office fitout
Whether your office fitout is large or small, you’re relocating or refurbishing, a change management plan is an essential part of a fitout and should not be overlooked.
Even small changes to the workplace environment can alter how teams are structured and change the space they occupy. A question often asked is “Will I be sitting in a new location next to different people”?
The larger the project, the more extensive the changes can be and the greater the disruption to the employees’ day-to-day work. This is especially true if you are relocating to a new building in a different area. Poor or unstructured change management can leave employees resistant to change, disconnected and even resentful.
Good communication is the key to a smooth transition. Get your change management plan in place early. Nominate a dedicated people-friendly manager who understands the company direction that staff can come to with queries and air any concerns. Having an accessible go-to person can stop the spread of negative rumours, help allay any fears and nip resistance in the bud.
10 office fitout change management tips
- Remember it’s all about the people
- Expect resistance to change
- Keep your eye on the goal, but remain flexible
- Don’t keep staff in the dark
- Work out who it will affect the most and by how much
- Develop specific plans for key employees
- Be realistic, allow enough time for your change management plan to take effect
- Communication isn’t just one way, staff feedback is important
- Make the case for why you’re changing the office with positive statements and key messages
- Workshops are a useful way to develop a collective understanding
Larger companies often draw on the experience of change management consultants who are capable of independently assessing situations while taking employees and business aims into consideration. Using a change management consultant also ensures that customers, suppliers and other stakeholders all understand and support the change.
Good change management is a fundamental part of any successful office fitout. We can’t stress enough not to overlook this step in your fitout or refurbishment.
Also, a reminder at this stage is to finalise all of your service agreements in Step 11 of our fitout checklist if you haven’t already done so.
