By Devon Maresco
Marketing Coordinator
SpaceIQ
It’s easy to think of government buildings as static. Courtrooms, elected officials’ offices, cafeterias, and various other spaces seemingly have one purpose. But in the modern world, these spaces are more than meets the eye. Government buildings are adapting—or built for adaptability. As they increasingly gain new purpose, government move management software plays a vital role in managing them.
Whether it’s a brand-new government facility designed for agility or an old building getting a new lease through remodeling, there’s movement to consider. Everyday movement inherent to agile facilities. Temporary relocation during remodeling. Data-backed movement to show space utilization. Whatever the need, government relocation management software is imperative.
Here’s a look at five practical uses for move management software for government agencies and why feature-rich software is imperative.
1. Construction planning and relocation
Government buildings are the epitome of neoclassical architecture. But while the façade may be timeless, the interiors of courthouses, police stations, embassies and other municipal buildings are often in need of revitalization. Interior improvements are often far-ranging and invasive, disruptive to operations within these budlings.
Move management software can help plan around lengthy construction and remodeling projects. As rooms, corridors, and entire sections of a government building become work sites, movement management software assists in temporarily relocating employees, re-routing foot traffic, and maintaining safety standards in peripheral areas.
2. Optimize space utilization
Government buildings often feature multifaceted spaces. Take a town hall, for example. It’s available for assembly meetings, traffic court hearings, chamber of commerce events, and dozens of other events. And while the configuration for the space many be similar across these uses, the space itself requires oversight to ensure gatherings have what they need to run smoothly.
Whether it’s orchestrating tables and chairs or establishing the room arrangement for speakers and audiences, government move management software plays an instrumental role in unlocking the utility of multifaceted spaces. This, in turn, improves space ROI and maximizes taxpayer return on funding for government facilities.
3. Implement new workstation concepts
Larger government facilities often mimic the layout and function of commercial offices. Such is the case with the shift to new desking concepts. As commercial workplaces become more agile, so too are government buildings; this means planning for and adapting to new workstation concepts. Move management software is often at the helm of such a transition, including to hoteling, hot desks, room booking, and breakout spaces.
Government buildings shouldn’t be restricted to the rigidity of assigned spaces for specific purposes. While some destinations inside these buildings will remain static, many spaces have newfound flexibility. Managing moves between these spaces allows government facility managers to tap into new opportunities to provide employees and visitors with the spaces they need.
4. Meet BIM deliverable requirements
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) requires the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for all major federal building projects. This helps ensure they’re meeting certain efficiency standards and quality control measures, as well as accessibility standards. With BIM data comes a unique opportunity to understand space in government facilities like never before—and to optimize it.
Using move management software in accordance with space utilization metrics allows facility managers to see which spaces are a drag on facilities vs. which ones are in high demand. This then allows them to reinvent those spaces or find ways to use them better. In some cases, it could mean turning them into a flex workspace. In other situations, it might mean temporary uses as certain needs arise. In either case, move management software is key in tapping into these areas and delivering on BIM requirements.
5. Map and utilize overflow spaces
Government facilities are often subject to influx. One day, a courthouse might be empty; the next, it’s packed with trials, jurors, and legal teams. The same goes for just about any other type of municipal facility. As occupancy numbers tick up, people need space. Move management software helps them find and utilize space in the event of overflow.
Move management software also helps facility managers plan for the unexpected. They’re able to create floor plans for general occupancy, as well as contingency floor plans to map overflow. As occupancy ramps up and space becomes scarce, it’s a matter of pulling levers to finesse people into spaces according to plan. This forward-thinking approach eliminates friction and improves productivity.
Government facilities are constantly in flux
While a courtroom might always be a courtroom and not every elected official will give up their office, it doesn’t change the fact that agility is important in government facilities. Move management for government is slowly becoming part of normal facility operations. As space utilization becomes dynamic and new desking concepts rise in popularity, municipal buildings face many of the same challenges as traditional offices. Move management software offers a helping hand in addressing them.
Keep reading: Government IWMS Software: 10 Must-Have Features
