Clarifying needs vs. wants: fundamental to project success

She has learned defining needs versus wants early in the process of design is fundamental to a successful project. While this can be applicable to virtually any project, starting with budget and scope, Malena shares insights into how it influences the outcome of a lab design.

“It's important for all stakeholders to have a clear understanding of how procedures will be conducted in the lab, including materials, workflow and the processes that will be used in order to design a lab that supports flexibility, safety and productivity. Stakeholders should include lab users, management, safety, security, operations, maintenance, constructors and all design disciplines.

"Often, lab users are working in facilities with outdated designs and come to the planning process with preconceived “wish lists” that may not be the best solutions today for the procedures they are performing. Design leaders should begin by asking what lab workers are doing and why, rather than what they want. This helps users understand and evaluate their actual needs versus the “nice to haves” and facilitates creative solutions that efficiently answer real challenges.

"Early definition of functional requirements before the design process begins to help establish realistic scope, schedule and budget documentation as the foundation of an efficient design process,” Malena concludes.

Content modified from an interview with Malena Aquino that appeared in Lab Manager News.