Use of workplace evaluations in briefing and design

Many organizations are engaged in organizational change, adopting new management styles and new ways of working. Innovative workplace design is used to facilitate organizational change, to improve user satisfaction and labour productivity, and to lower facility costs. Although some research has been done into the use and experience of new offices, there is still a need for sound data about the real effects on organizational goals and employee satisfaction. For this reason, the Center for People and Buildings in Delft has developed an instrument for a diagnostic Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE). This tool has been tested in a number of case studies. This paper presents the structure of the tool and reflects on the usability of POE-data to indicate problems in the present situation, to evaluate the effects of design interventions, and to support future decisions in briefing, design and management of office buildings.