The Federal government is responding to rapid changes in workforce, technology, customer and taxpayer demands, funding and constituency. All these combine to dramatically change the nature of work. Such pressures couple with other challenges, ranging from a high rate of organizational and process changes, to telecommuting, to worker retention difficulties, to knowledge transfer. One result is the desire to re-shape work and the workplace becoming a pressing issue for many of GSA’s client agencies, which need the ability to develop nimble organizations and workplaces responding quickly to change.
Thinking about the workplace as a strategic organizational tool requires a shift in how the workplace is viewed. A strategic approach to workplace must go further, by embracing agency mission and integrating decision-making as it relates to specific organizational goals, to individual and group behaviors, and to aspects of physical environment (business, behavior and building).
WorkPlace 20•20 is PBS’s new process for providing workplaces for clients. Not only does WorkPlace 20•20 incorporate the principles articulated in The Integrated Workplace, it also links every project to business, behavior and building. WorkPlace 20•20 insists on measurement as the basis of determining success. The profound difference between the program and standard space programming is encapsulated in how the process starts. Where space programming begins with an examination of things people need to do their work, WorkPlace 20•20 begins with what work they do, why they do it, and how the work links with the strategic direction of their agency.
Perhaps this is the first time in the real estate industry; interdisciplinary consultants and experts have teamed to contribute their knowledge and processes. PBS has not only developed a research program but also attracted a diverse group of partners from the private sector, academia and corporations, creating the synergy necessary to move the practice forward.
This strategic partnership, a departure from traditional government contracting, is the innovation. While WorkPlace 20•20 is a considerable innovation, the results are being researched, measured and evaluated. Today the strategic partnering practice is already working. With each consultant contributing and sharing tools, techniques, methods and critique, the WorkPlace 20•20 program is improving and maturing.
GSA recognizes the need to change methods to meet demands of the market and customers. GSA must provide the best value for customer agencies and taxpayers. This is the goal of the practice: using real estate to add value to customers’ work. WorkPlace 20•20 addresses the fact that the industry is fragmented and historically started with the question: how much will it cost? WorkPlace 20•20 starts with the business challenges:
- How do I attract and retain a superior workforce?
- How do I increase organizational productivity?
- How do I get knowledge workers to communicate and collaborate?
- How do I change to meet demands of customers?
For more information, contact Mr. Kevin Kampschroer at (202) 501-4411 or via e-mail at kevin.kampschroer@gsa.gov.
