The Right Voices: Better Information; Better Lab Design

Successful laboratory projects depend on accurate information, but how can design teams know whether the people providing that information truly represent the needs of the organization? And how can laboratory leaders ensure their staff’s operational expertise is heard before key decisions are made?

This interactive workshop introduces a practical framework for identifying and engaging the right stakeholders before critical design decisions are made. Participants will learn how to distinguish between decision-makers, subject matter experts, influencers, and end users, while uncovering hidden operational knowledge that can make or break a project.

Lab users will gain strategies for identifying the voices that should be included in planning discussions and advocating for meaningful participation, while architects, laboratory planners, and engineers will leave with tools to validate information and engage the right people throughout the design process.

Learning objectives:
1. Identify the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved in laboratory planning, including operational gatekeepers, decision-makers, subject matter experts, and end users.
2. Apply stakeholder mapping techniques to determine whether the appropriate individuals are providing information that will influence laboratory design decisions.
3. Recognize common communication gaps and organizational dynamics that can result in incomplete or inaccurate project requirements.
4. Develop a practical toolkit for validating operational information, facilitating productive stakeholder engagement, and reducing costly redesigns throughout the planning and design process.