7 Things to Consider When Deploying an Integrated Workplace Management System

Your organization has decided to take the plunge and implement an integrated workplace management system (IWMS). Based on our experience working with numerous companies, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your IWMS deployment provides positive impact to the organization. Here are seven best practices to consider:

1. Find an executive sponsor. If you haven’t already done so, it’s a good idea to find an executive sponsor for the project. This individual is responsible for endorsing the implementation, as well as obtaining resources and removing project obstacles if necessary.
    
2. Enlist support from the IT team. The IT team is an important player in the IWMS implementation process. Getting their buy-in early is essential. The IWMS must fit into the organization’s existing IT infrastructure and it will likely integrate with other systems that are critical to operations.
    
3. Identify champions in each IWMS area. Workplace management covers many different disciplines ranging from real estate to space planning and management, move management, asset management, environmental and risk management, building operations, and more. It’s a good idea to find an individual in each area who will act as a champion for their part of the IWMS.
    
4. Focus on the data first. Data is the key ingredient that makes an IWMS successful. Be sure your team understands what information is essential to fulfill your goals, otherwise, your system may become bogged down with unnecessary data.
    
5. Use a staged deployment process. Implementing the IWMS in a phased way is helpful. It makes the deployment less overwhelming and the team can build momentum by demonstrating successive wins to the organization. This reinforces the system’s return on investment.
    
6. Decide which systems will be integrated into the IWMS. The ultimate goal of an IWMS should be to create a “single source of truth” for facilities management information.
    
7. Work with an expert. IMAGINiT’s facilities management team has worked with hundreds of clients in a variety of industries. The lessons we’ve learned in the field help clients avoid problems that are common in IWMS deployments. The result is shorter, smoother implementations which means your organization can be on the road to return on investment sooner.

About the Author

Director, Facilities Management Solutions<br><br>Peter has worked in IMAGINiT’s Facilities Management group for over 15 years and has held progressively larger roles within the division. Peter’s unique blend of experience in hardware, software, digital twins, IoT and facilities management applications allows him to work with clients to craft solutions that meet both current and future facility management needs. Peter is a proponent of technical applications for building information modeling within facilities management.

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