What is Workplace Management, and Why Does It Matter?
Director of Consulting
Workplace management is the management of all resources needed to design & maintain appropriate, effective and economical workplace experiences that align with strategic business objectives and support people in doing their best work every day, wherever they are.
It’s no longer just about desks, meeting rooms, and office maintenance – it’s about creating an environment that fuels performance, engagement, and innovation. In today’s rapidly evolving world of hybrid work, employees expect more from their workplaces than ever before. They seek seamless experiences, flexible options, and environments that support their well-being and productivity. Organisations that fail to adapt risk losing top talent, while those that strategically manage their workplaces can gain a significant competitive edge. The question is: How can businesses rethink workplace management as a driver of success rather than just an operational necessity?
The evolution of workplace management
Historically, workplace management revolved around ensuring employees had a functional desk, well-maintained meeting rooms, and operational plant and equipment. It was largely the domain of facilities managers, who focused on the smooth running of physical office spaces.
But the world of work has changed dramatically. The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid working models and drove significant advances in virtual meeting technology. Furthermore, there has been a fundamental shift in employee attitudes and expectations.
The rise of the consumer mindset
Employees now evaluate their workplace experience much like they assess products and services – as consumers. They expect an environment that meets their needs, both physically and digitally. Unlike previous generations, today’s workforce has choices, and they know it.
This trend will only intensify. Generation Alpha, set to join the workforce in the 2030s, has grown up with touchscreen technology, instant access to global information and perspectives, and high expectations for personalised experiences. Organisations must anticipate and adapt to this evolving mindset to attract and retain top talent.
A day in the life of the modern knowledge worker
Consider an average office knowledge worker in today’s hybrid workplace. They might begin their day at 8:15 AM at their home office desk after dropping their children at school, or they could be commuting into a city office while reviewing emails and Teams messages. Throughout the day, their work fluctuates between deep focus tasks and collaboration; sometimes in a meeting room, sometimes via video call and often a blend of both. They co-create documents using cloud-based platforms, meet clients or external partners virtually or in person and navigate multiple digital and physical touchpoints.
In this reality, workplace management is no longer just about desks and meeting spaces. It’s about designing an experience that optimises productivity, well-being, and engagement – wherever employees choose to work.
The science of workplace performance
For employees to perform at their best, both physical and cognitive fitness must be . The work environment plays a critical role in shaping cognitive health, which in turn affects motivation, focus, and collaboration.
Research highlights the importance of four key neurochemicals:
- Dopamine (motivation and reward)
- Oxytocin (trust and social bonding)
- Serotonin (mood regulation)
- Endorphins (stress relief and well-being)
Workplace leaders can influence these neurochemicals through thoughtful design. Factors such as lighting, noise levels, temperature, scent, and biophilia (natural elements) all impact cognitive functioning. For example:
- Circadian lighting that mimics natural daylight improves alertness and sleep cycles.
- Indoor greenery and biophilic design aid mental restoration and creativity.
- Optimised acoustics and scent influence concentration and stress levels.
- Well-designed collaborative spaces enhance oxytocin release, reducing anxiety and fostering trust.
When organisations invest in workplace environments that boost cognitive well-being, they enable employees to work more effectively, build stronger relationships, and contribute more meaningfully to business success.
Workplace management as a strategic lever
Effective workplace management takes a strategic perspective, aligning the workplace experience with human performance and, ultimately, business performance. When organisations view the workplace as a strategic asset, conversations with leadership shift from operational logistics to business outcomes. It’s no longer just about desks and meeting spaces; it’s about how the workplace can drive innovation, attract and retain talent, and enhance competitive advantage.
AWA’s Workplace Management Framework, developed in collaboration with , provides a structured approach to achieving this. It places strategy at the core of workplace management, ensuring alignment with leadership priorities and measuring success through workplace performance metrics.
The future: A Chief Workplace Experience Officer?
To fully harness the potential of a well-managed workplace, organisations should consider elevating workplace management to a dedicated leadership function. The role of a Chief Workplace Experience Officer could emerge as a critical executive position, overseeing an integrated approach that combines facilities, real estate, technology, and human resources. This joined-up strategy would optimise employee experience, enhance business agility, and drive sustained performance.
In today’s world, workplace management is no longer just about providing a place to work. It is about designing and orchestrating an environment – physical, digital, and cultural – that empowers people to do their best work. Organisations that get this right will gain a lasting edge in the war for talent and business performance.
Now is the time to rethink workplace management – not as an operational necessity, but as a strategic imperative.
FAQs
-
Strategic workplace management aligns workplace strategy with the organisation’s overall business strategy. This is achieved by engaging with the senior leadership team and understanding the high-stakes challenges the business seeks to overcome and the tactics for achieving them. The workplace strategy is then tailored to help attract and retain the talent required to achieve those strategic goals and provide them with a working environment that optimises their performance and collaboration.
-
Having a thirst for understanding the consumer mindset of your employees is critical to providing a more personalised, high-quality workplace experience. Use surveys and focus groups to understand employee sentiment and develop a clear and relevant set of workplace performance metrics that measure the degree to which your workplace experience solutions meet the outcomes your workplace experience aims to achieve. Remember, your workplace experience only works if your employees work at their best and enjoy their experience!
-
Every organisation has a brand which stands for something in the external market. Prospective employees are drawn to work for the organisation because they form a picture in their minds of what it would look and feel like to work with them. When a workplace experience is misaligned with those brand expectations a disconnect develops between the employee and the employer, resulting in reduced employee engagement and less desirable customer experiences as a result. It’s important that the workplace experience resonates with the brand promise and provides employees with the resources and support they need to do their best work every day, wherever they are. This can include more choice over work environments to support different work modes, ease of navigating the workplace and accessing the resources to get work done, and zones catering to cognitive performance and recuperation.
