New space for the next batch

Some of you will know that I'm Programme Director of the "2 Roof" programme at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the UK. This programme is a major real estate rationalisation programme to substantially reduce the cost of accommodation to the department and to introduce a degree of flexible desking.

Anyway, this weekend saw us move about 170 people into their newly refurbished office accommodation. The space looks fantastic but the users generally have difficulty adjusting to the new working environment - i.e. not having their own desk and having to share communal facilities.

We've got to do another 230 people next weekend - hopefully everything will go as smoothly as this weekend. Then what? Stage 3 of the programme - refurbishing the final floor and moving users into that one - scheduled for late March 2006.