Covid - Challenging Space Estimation

Space Caclulators.

Lots of people have made them - and so have we ...

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To some its a precise science, to the others its a bit rule of thumb. But let's be honest, there are a huge number of variables when working out how much space you need, so picking the right benchmarks, & methods of measurement, then applying them to your precise but changing needs, it was always going to be an estimate.

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And then Covid-19 came along ... creating huge change in accepted thinking around workplace & methods of work. So all bets may be off for a while as the world works out a direction for their workplace strategy.

 

And there's definitely no 'one size fits all' - far from it. To the point that working methods and usage of offices is going to be more about individual preference, with increased choices within an emerging framework of new measures for workplace and workforce performance. - balanced delicately with new financial models, constraints & drivers for the real estate that accommodates the talent that IS your business.

 

This isn't meant to be crystal balling (our crystal ball is still in pre-release beta version ...) but we have tried to create a calculator that focuses on working methods, simply by breaking up headcount by Mobility types or grades. Again this isn't something new, but Covid-19 with its impacts of increased remote working, better use & understanding of collaboration technology, has added an overlay to the common language of Activity Based Working.

 

Of course traditionally Real Estate managers and their workplace strategists have been increasing real estate productivity by densification allied to, and supported by, changing working methods. Allowing more staff to be operating from a 'home base' office, but with less space & therefore rental cost.

 

But the success of stabilising or reducing space was predetermined by the need for successful workplace change - the ability for people to change or create the change - to liberate the real estate benefits. And this is being supported by better amenity spaces, better facilities - a whole new experience in the workplace which 'gave back' on features or functions that were removed, and were perceived as pain points to change.

 

Those principles haven't change due to Covid-19, but ... there still is no one answer for everyone on how they revise their approaches to the new workplace, its productivity, and above all attracting, retaining & keeping safe the talent that is linked to a particular facility. 'WFH' used to be an occasional out of office reply. It now the common acronym for 2020 now across a major workforce population. But it doesn't work for all by any means, so there needs to be a blend.

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Of course to get that blend, there needs to be careful study, consideration & alignment of personal and business aspirations - what works, what doesn't - for all parties. And importantly what did, that now doesn't, because that adds to the burden of change ... upon on change .... and unfortunately some of those changes will likely be driven by the harsh reality of a paradigm shift in financial capacity driven by austerity metrics, over and above some of the softer measures of previous years that supported change, and focused on the more personal needs & wants of the workforce.

 

That's why our calculator simply groups headcount by mobility ratios, then applies a vacancy ratio to those groups. This expands upon the question of how we can optimise the seat count considered across blended grades of mobility, through expected time out of the office, and therefore ability to liberate space for alternate community use, increased distancing, or simply reduce space requirement.

 

So we've made sure the density sliders allow for reductions over pre-Covid density norms, supporting good social & professional distancing, with alternate forms of collaboration and connection in the workplace.

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And at this stage we aren't considering the unfortunate fall out of a global recession driven by a global pandemic. Shrinking businesses, back to basics strategies for the next few years, income protection, cost reduction, and what part does real estate play in the success or failure of any plan. It's all out there and each business will have specific needs driven by their business model, their talent needs, and ultimately how well their own market recovers.

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Only time, relevant expert opinion, investment, research, testing & analysis of successes & failures will tell (and maybe a nice shiny crystal ball v1.0 ...)