Office moves happen to most firms at some point and come in different shapes and sizes. Like moving house, this can be an expensive exercise which needs managing to both time and agreed budget. This task often falls to an operational-based person to manage in addition to their day job.
Mint Blue has co-ordinated a number of office moves including an existing office reshuffle, the set up of a new office in Brighton for 25 people and the consolidation of 3 offices across Horsham to the new Business Campus for around 350 staff. The latter and largest move was the most complicated. It involved extensive liaison between the parent company on behalf of the business and was phased over several months as the extensive building renovations were completed.
Regardless of size, there are the same core tasks to fulfil from finding the right property, agreeing the fit out, organising the IT and the co-ordination of the actual move. There are different suppliers to co-ordinate throughout the process so facilitation is important. Many companies are also taking the opportunity to maximise their office space and flex their work environments as part of the refit. Office moves can be an emotive subject for staff so taking them on the journey is important
Mint Blue Consulting has been able to provide a tailored approach to the office moves to date to fit time and budgets while being the key point of contact throughout the project. Project Management time is agreed in advance (generally from 1 day per week for smaller companies to 3+ days per week depending on the size and complexity of the move).
The ultimate aim for all the moves is to make it as smooth and unobtrusive as possible for the staff while keeping to the agreed times and costs. For recent moves, staff have been able to pack up their belongings on the Friday afternoon and have been up and running no later than the Monday lunchtime. To see staff settling in so quickly and enjoying their new space is the real reward after all the hard work.
If you considering an office move and need project management assistance, please contact [email protected]