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ow can Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) help solve those “pain points” in your office
As the work environment continues to change, organizations face many challenges, including issues such as space efficiency, employee well-being and productivity. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is a tool that evaluates building performance through a systematic and rigorous approach. The assessment has evolved since the 1960s and has gained significant application in the United States and Scotland. By integrating the experiences of all stakeholders, POE can provide valuable insights into the design, function and use of buildings.
Purpose of POE
The fundamental purpose of POE is to help improve the use of buildings, thereby supporting productivity and employee wellbeing. Specifically, the main uses of POE include:
- Assess building quality
- Provide a basis for planning and briefing for new construction and renovation
- Address issues that arise in building use, such as change management and new working styles
According to the British Council of Offices (BCO), POE assesses whether a workplace is successfully supporting the needs of the occupier organisation and its individual end-users.
Stakeholder Engagement
POE involves all stakeholders who have an interest in the building, these stakeholders usually include:
- Employees - the people who work in these buildings
- Customers, students, prisoners, etc. - people who receive services in the building
- Project sponsors, architects, engineers and builders – the professionals who construct buildings
- Maintenance managers, tradesmen and cleaners - the people responsible for maintaining these buildings
- Representatives of future generations - represented by architects - who will live with the environmental pollution caused by buildings
POE components
During the POE process, evaluators generate recommendations based on stakeholder observations. These observations need to be related to the building design, use and operating conditions and clarified through testing and discussion. In response to stakeholder observations, planning and design recommendations for future new buildings are often developed, and may also include recommendations for modifications to current buildings and changes to how they are used.
POE evaluators may recommend ongoing monitoring, research, or case management studies.
The significance of occupier surveys
During the POE process, occupant survey is very important. These surveys are not limited to environmental monitoring but will also cover factors such as indoor air quality, noise and light. Occupier feedback provides critical data for evaluation and helps businesses improve their facilities and operations.
For example, occupant surveys in LEED and WELL certifications help understand and improve occupant comfort.
Continuous evaluation and improvement
POE should not only be conducted after the completion of a building, but should also be conducted regularly during the building's life cycle. Such assessments help monitor whether the building's facilities and operations support the needs of occupants.
Perhaps most importantly, POE provides businesses with critical guidance to improve productivity and employee happiness in the changing work environment. By discovering pain points through a systematic approach, companies can wisely allocate resources and make improvement measures. Therefore, how to more effectively apply POE to enhance your office environment should be the key issue you consider?
