Switching to a flexible shared lab – Infraserv offers change managers

Modern working needs suitable premises

The way we work together has changed dramatically in recent years. Not only in the office, but also in the laboratory. Whereas in the past it was mostly “lone wolves” who searched for solutions in private, now it is teams that tackle and master challenges together. Depending on the task at hand, these teams put themselves together individually and thus utilize the optimal combination of knowledge and experience.

An appropriately designed laboratory can support this new type of flexible collaboration. Open shared laboratories enable more efficient communication between employees than individual separate rooms. Or even writing workstations can be moved to specially designated areas and no longer have to be located directly next to the laboratory workstation. This allows employees to group themselves according to the different tasks and thus provide each other with the best possible support.

However, while the design of the premises and laboratory workstations is already taken into account during the planning phase of a new laboratory building or laboratory modernization with a view to optimizing the process flow, one aspect is often overlooked: The employees in the laboratory.

This is because modern forms of collaboration also mean a major change for employees. And if it is not possible to convince employees of the advantages of the newly designed laboratory space, then it often remains unused and, in the worst case, even leads to resentment among the workforce.

Infraserv supports the transition to new ways of working with Change Manager

To ensure that the new construction or conversion of your laboratory space is a long-term success, we not only support our customers in laboratory planning with our knowledge and experience of modern laboratory work. We also offer support for employees beyond the planning phase in the utilization phase of the laboratory. Trained change managers accompany your employees during the transition phase and point out the possibilities and limitations of the new laboratory structure.

A lot revolves around the right behavior. How do I communicate with my colleagues? When do I use which lab areas or tools? It often helps to develop a “set of rules for productive cooperation” with the team. After all, flexible working is only possible when everyone knows the guidelines.

By involving an external change manager, employees can get to know the advantages of the new laboratory concept in everyday laboratory work and, in the event of implementation difficulties, have an experienced consultant who can suggest possible solutions or work out solutions together with them.

As a business and laboratory manager, you can play your part in ensuring that the new laboratory concepts are optimally accepted and used by the workforce and thus bring the hoped-for increase in efficiency.

Are you currently in the discovery phase for your new laboratory building or your laboratory modernization?

Then you may be interested in the interview with our laboratory experts Sascha Schieber and Frank Pauli. There you will find out “ how sustainability and lean new working arrangements have affected the modern laboratory environment ”.

Or simply get in touch with our laboratory planning experts for an initial, no-obligation discussion.