Usability as a value adding attribute in real estate management of industrial premises

Eetu RistaniemiAalto - university11.11.2010

Background

• The research aims to model the added value creation of real estate management in industrial premises

• Model has been developed with case studies and tested with surveys

• Usability was recognized as a value adding attribute

• Emphasis has been on improving functionality instead of increasing usability

Why the emphasis on functionality?

• Main task for CREM in industrial premises is cost control

• CREM has to enable undisturbed production

• The possibilities to improve productivity are seen very limited

• Thinking “only” functionality reduces flexibility and re-using possibilities

• Lack of communication between real estate and production managers

Added value of real estate management in industrial premises• On a corporate level added value for stakeholders stems

from:– Supporting production process

• Productivity and cost control

– Embracing sustainability• Environmental, social and economic

– Promoting company brand• Realizing brand through real estate

Does usability have a role in these value adding elements?

How can usability provide added value?

• Support production processes– Increased worker productivity in

processes

• Embrace sustainability– Usability increases social capital – Usability increases productivity

• Promote company brand– Improved employer image– Increased employee satisfaction– Brand is visible for eternal stakeholders

What is usability in industrial premises?

• Usability starts from understanding the user processes and making them visible next to the production processes

• More about this in the case study by Tarja and Leena and rest of the group

Towards usability and value adding elements

• Communication between real estate and production managers is the key element

– Real estate managers’ participation in investment processes at early stages – User participation in design processes

• Transformation from cost cutting to increasing production efficiency– Usability in industrial premises– Innovative solutions

QUESTIONS?