Impact on Organisation and Workplace Award

AWARD WINNER - EC Harris, for Department for Children, Schools and Families

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Award Criteria:

Facilities Managers are in a prime position to both recognise the needs of people in organisations and to ensure working environments are made fully responsive to these needs.   The task is continuous; sometimes it spearheads radical change (ie. when organisations occupy a new building or undertake a major re-fit of existing premises); always it is part of an evolutionary process in which FMs strive constantly to meet changing needs and expectations.  A submission to this Award can be made at any point in the evolutionary cycle of FM activity.

In this category judges will seek to gain an understanding of the FM strategies adopted towards a range of key issues.   These include: measuring individual and organisational needs with allowances made for future change: reflecting management style in the creation of appropriate on-floor layouts: recognising social needs by removing barriers to communication: encouraging interaction through the formation of effective working groups: improving the efficiency and comfort of workplace tools: influencing people’s attitude towards work by improving the environment in which they spend so much time: reflecting organisational aspirations in the overall style and ‘feel’ of the space provided.   But these headings are only a guide; there may be many other areas, in a wide range of building types, where the processes of Facilities Management have made a positive impact on the Organisation and Workplace.

Overall, entrants should be able to show that their FM strategies have improved people’s productivity by increasing the efficiency and pleasure of work.

Judging Criteria:

1. Determinants of change including rationale, staff involvement, organisational objectives, and FM input.

2. Project organisation and brief including assessment of needs, location strategy, project team organisation, and communication strategy.

3. Quality, Flexibility and Cost including assessment of options, in-built flexibility, cost effectiveness, quality of end result, and maintenance considerations.

4. Space planning including group layouts, interaction between groups, meetings at the workplace, configuration of work positions, and use of space standards.

5.Safety and comfort including conformity with H&S regulations, control at the workplace, quality of working environment,  sense of well- being experienced by staff, and recognition of their ergonomic needs.

6. Design including overall ‘ambience’, success in creating conditions for achievment, and individual expression.

7. Shared facilities including on-floor service areas, personal storage, meetings (formal and informal) central/localised catering, and after-hours provisions.

8. Project success including contribution to people’s self-esteem and creativity, support  for the application of skill and responsibility, contribution to job satisfaction and increased productivity.

Full details on the above criteria are explained on the entry form below.