Space planning software is an increasingly popular staple in most work environments nowadays, mainly as it gives facility managers a comprehensive visual picture of their working space. It is a 3-dimensional view of space and, more importantly, it has the ability to be easily used. Many people unaware that there are spaces in their office or workplace simply shirk away from using computer-based planning tools. This is unfortunate, as such tools can really help in making the job of facility manager far easier.
The most common use of space planning software is undoubtedly to produce a floor plan for a given project. Floor plans offer visual clues about the amount of open floor space, hallways and entrances, toilets and exits, etc. that a building has, and the amount of usable space that can be made available to employees. Developing a floor plan using real-time data and satellite imagery can allow a facility manager to determine what number of seats, booths, etc. will be optimal to maximize the productivity of employees.
Good space planning software is imperative for facilities managers since many of these offices are typically much larger than typical office spaces. In order to optimize the productivity of employees, these spaces must be designed efficiently. This requires accurately assessing each area of the workspace and identifying which tasks can be automated or left to employees. In addition, these programs can help provide services like workforce management and staffing planning.
Many facilities managers also need to handle the workflow of multiple employees working from different locations. The workspace must be constantly monitored in order to keep tabs on the progress of each team. Good space planning software can streamline the workflow by generating a map of each individual employee's whereabouts. This allows the workspace to become much more streamlined and manageable. Furthermore, these systems can help manage payroll, which is often complicated when trying to account for multiple employees with their own schedules. These programs can also create workflow diagrams that allow a facility manager to effectively manage employees without having to print paper reports.