Ordering system furniture is an interesting experience for a company, the employee who sits in the cubicle as well as the furniture dealer trying to decipher your taste and budget.

Things to consider include panel heights, framed or frameless, storage solutions, seated or non-seated privacy and glass, fabric choices, work surfaces, desk accessories, electric and data, and that’s just to start. And just when you think you got it, the dealer provides you with a bid containing pages and pages of unintelligible codes and SKU numbers that make little sense even to the most experienced. While 3D renderings do help in demystifying what you’re getting for your money, it’s challenging to compare drawings amongst competitors and really get a feel for your new system.

Cubicle mockups are an excellent way to test drive the look, feel and usability of the system. It gives you a side-by-side comparison of the products you are considering.

There is a substantial cost to the dealers for providing mockups and this requirement should be clearly written in your RFP. This lets the vendors consider whether or not the project’s budget permits them to spend money on manufacturing, delivering, set-up, knock down and removal from your office or if the cost is to be borne by you.

Most importantly, mockups promote inclusiveness with your employees who can be engaged and provide feedback on the systems they will be sitting in. It’s a perfect method of team collaboration and employees feel part of the selection process. So how do you gauge feedback?

Below are sample survey questions I asked at a recent mockup:

Please take a few minutes to tell us about the furniture you recently reviewed.

Last Name_____________ Department____________ 1. Cubicle style 1 with ‘framed glass” is open enough to see my colleagues yet provides enough privacy: – I strongly agree

– I agree

– I’m neutral

– I disagree

– I strongly disagree 2. Cubicle style 2 with “frameless glass” is open enough to see my colleagues working yet provides enough privacy:

– I strongly agree

– I agree

– I’m neutral

– I disagree

– I strongly disagree 3. There are two work surface corner styles to choose from, an “L” Shaped and a “Curved Corner” shaped. Of the two, which style provides you with the most functionality? – L-Shaped Corner

– Curved Corner 4. Please tell us which manufacturer’s overall style workstation you prefer? – I prefer Name Product Vendor (picture #1)

– I prefer Name Product Vendor (picture #2) 5. Please tell us why you prefer one product over the other. 6. Please rate the following storage components: Teaming Bench & lateral File Below (locker beside) Storage/Locker Pedestal Drawer Enhances your space Neutral Would not use Bench Seating Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Lateral File below bench Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Storage/Coat Locker Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Pedestal Drawers below work surface Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No

7. Please tell us if you would use the following Slat Wall accessories: Unimportant Low Importance Neutral Important Very Important Personal Shelf Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Letter Tray Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Marker Board Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Binder Tray Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Telephone Shelf Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Hanging File Holder Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Pencil/Pad Holder Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No In Box Tray Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No

8. Ergonomic Keyboard Trays. Please rate the following trays: Manufacturer 1 (apply question to each manufacturer) – Is comfortable – Provides enough room for my knees – Easy to adjust – Did not like 9. Do you work with or without a keyboard tray? – I currently have a keyboard tray and wish to continue using one

– I currently have a keyboard tray but would NOT use one in the future

– I currently do NOT have a keyboard tray and would NOT use one in the future

– I currently do NOT have a keyboard tray, but would use one of the options listed 10. Seating: Please rate the following seating options: Manufacturer 1 (apply question to each manufacturer) – Is comfortable – Is easy to adjust

– Is not comfortable 11. Additional comments. Please provide us with any feedback to help us in our decision making. Download the Sample Survey

Mockup Systems Furniture Survey Richard Neuman is an Owner’s Rep and Move Consultant with NY based Relocation Management Solutions, Inc. www.relocationmanagement.com, Thank you to Trisha Milner, Independent Senior Project Manager Consultant for her contribution to this article.

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