The aim of analysing the existing situation is to gain an understanding of the organization, its work processes and its current ways of using space. How does the organization work? What kind of culture does it have? What kind of work settings are available and how are they used? And where is there a need for improvement? These questions can be answered by analysing various kinds of organizational data as well as by simply looking and listening. Document analysis OutcomesA good place to start the overall analysis is to go through An initial understanding of the organizations already available documentation: documents on mattersprocesses, strategy and mission Basic data on the organizations structurelike the organizations mission, structure, strategy, andand headcountbrand or identity. Such documents can provide an insight into what is important to the organization and where itRecommendations Beware of possible discrepancies between is heading. Also relevant is documentation relating tohow things are presented in documents and headcount, although headcount data are notoriouslyhow they are in everyday practice.inaccurate (outdated or excluding external contractors),Conduct follow-up interviews to clarify and so additional data gathering may be necessary. validate data.Walk-through OutcomesAs the name suggests, a walk-through is basically a First impressions of both the organizationwalk around a building. It is a tour of the existing workand the existing work environmentenvironment together with a group of users who explainRecommendationshow they use it. The aim is to get an initial impression of Prepare the walk-through. Make sure that the the organization and its work environment. What is therouting and stopping points cover all relevant spaces. Prepare a list of discussion topics for atmosphere like? Are workspaces crowded or empty, noisyeach stop.or quiet, messy or organized? How do users perceive these Consider turning the tour into a photo safari spaces? What do they like and dislike? What would they likeduring which users are asked to make photos as visual documentation of the positive and to have changed, and why? Conducting such a tour is anegative aspects of their office.very effective way of getting to know a lot in a short period Conduct tours with different kinds of users (e.g. of time.employees, managers, facility manager) to get different perspectives on the existing situation. 41