Workspace Utilization and Allocation Benchmark Workspace Utilization and Allocation Benchmark

48 Pages·2012·5.36 MB·English

GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy
Office of Real Property Management
Performance Measurement Division
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U.S. General Services Administration
Office of Governmentwide Policy
Office of Real Property Management
Performance Measurement Division
Workspace Utilization and
Allocation Benchmark
July 2011
Note: Effective as of July 2012, the author has updated the workspace benchmark data.

Workspace Utilization and Allocation Benchmark
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................3
Methodology ................................................................................................................7
Research Analysis .......................................................................................................9
Federal Workspace Policy and Regulations .............................................................13
The Emerging Workspace .........................................................................................15
Workspace Survey Results .......................................................................................23
Workspace Allocation Results ..................................................................................25
Workplace Snapshots
Benchmark #1: Business Services/Consulting ...............................................27
Benchmark #2: Telecommunication .................................................................28
Benchmark #3: Manufacturing ..........................................................................28
Benchmark #4: Domestic Government Organization .....................................29
Benchmark #5: International Government Organization ................................29
Benchmark #6: Academic Institution ...............................................................30
Benchmark #7: Diversified Manufacturer .........................................................30
Benchmark #8: Media Conglomerate ...............................................................31
Benchmark #9: Business Services/Consulting ...............................................31
Case studies: Today’s Innovative Workplace .........................................................32
Case Study #1: IBM Reduces Its Real Estate Footprint Through Telework ..32
Case Study #2: Sabre’s Workplace Innovation ................................................34
Case Study #3: Herman Miller on Space Standards and Industry Trends ....35
Featured Article: “Take my desk — please” .............................................................37
Acronyms ..................................................................................................................43
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Workspace Utilization and Allocation Benchmark
Introduction
Managing and allocating office state that “Executive agencies must
workspace is a constant provide a quality workplace environment
challenge for both public and that supports program operations,
private organizations. This preserves the value of real property
challenge exists because assets, meets the needs of the occupant
organizations have to meet agencies, and provides child care
functional space demands using limited and physical fitness facilities in the
resources. When determining the best workplace when adequately justified.
way to forecast and allocate workspace An Executive agency must promote
and support knowledge workers, today’s maximum utilization of Federal
architects, designers, facilities and real workspace, consistent with mission
estate professionals, and workplace requirements, to maximize its value to
consultants must consider the following the Government.”2
factors:
When assigning and utilizing federal
• Space availability;
workspace, “Executive agencies must
• Energy costs;
provide assignment and utilization
• Operation and maintenance costs;
services that will maximize the value
• Ever-changing mission requirements;
of Federal real property resources and
• Security concerns;
improve the productivity of the workers
• Emergency management planning; housed therein.”3
• Alternative workplace arrangements
(AWA); and With respect to the Code of Federal
Regulations, the General Services
• The new mobile workforce.
Administration (GSA), Office of
Over the past decade, the Federal
Governmentwide Policy (OGP) provides
government has moved away from strict
additional guidance to promote
hierarchical space use standards based
government-wide cost-effective, flexible
on pay grade or associate position.
and quality workspace. This Workspace
The Federal government now follows
Utilization and Allocation Benchmark
the Code of Federal Regulation’s
publication presents a concise synopsis
(CFR) recommendations for space
of workspace research findings and
planning based on organizational
practical recommendations. OGP’s
needs1. Current workspace regulations
1 GPO Access, Code of Federal Regulations Main Page: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html
2 “Federal Management Regulation: Assignment and Utilization of Space,” Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 102-79.10 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-
3
idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title41/41cfr102-79_main_02.tpl.
3 “Federal Management Regulation: Assignment and Utilization of Space,” Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 102-79.15 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-
idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title41/41cfr102-79_main_02.tpl.
Workspace Utilization and Allocation Benchmark
objective is to present this information In addition to providing useful
to the entire Federal community with recommendations, this 2011 Workspace
the hope that it leads to more informed Utilization and Allocation Benchmark
decision-making and better overall publication includes the GSA Office
utilization and allocation of office of Governmentwide Policy workspace
workspace. Many real estate managers benchmark and a feature article on
and facility managers are interested space planning methods used by an
in developing similar programs or internationally-known private sector firm.
extending existing programs in support This research review also includes ten
of real estate cost savings goals, arbitrarily selected benchmark studies
workspace consolidation plans and and three case studies. The case studies
GSA’s Zero Environmental Footprint explain how these organizations—which
(ZEF) initiatives. This publication shares range from information technology firms
challenges and best practices with to real estate corporations—utilize space
real estate professionals and facility planning to get the most out of their
managers across all industries. workplaces.
4