3 workplace design scorecards to help prioritize space improvements

Creating a dynamic workspace that always meets both organizational goals and employee needs is key to building an efficient, engaged company. But with so many potential improvements to consider, figuring out where to start can be difficult. Workplace audits are a great way to identify what needs attention, but transforming those insights into actionable upgrades requires a structured plan.

Scorecards offer a practical solution. They help you assess space improvements using clear criteria, so you can prioritize the changes that will have the most impact. In this post, we’ll explore three types of workplace design scorecards to help you make smarter, more focused updates to your space.

Why prioritizing workplace updates is essential—and how scorecards can help 

Deciding which workplace updates to tackle first can be tricky. Budgets are often limited, employee needs vary, and any changes should support broader business goals. Balancing all these factors makes prioritization essential. Without it, you risk investing time and money into changes that don’t bring the impact you desire.

This is where scorecards come in. Scorecards give you a clear, objective way to evaluate potential improvements. By scoring each option based on specific criteria, you can make informed decisions about which changes will best support your organization’s needs. This can simplify the decision-making process, freeing your team to focus on changes that will create the most value.

Scorecard #1: Impact vs. effort 

This scorecard assesses potential changes based on two key factors: (1) how much value the change will bring to employee experience and business goals, and (2) how much effort it’ll take to implement the change. Choose this option if you want to identify improvements that can make a noticeable difference without demanding excessive resources.

Example:

Scorecard #2: Strategic alignment 

This scorecard helps your team tie proposed changes to your organization’s broader business goals. By linking workplace design decisions directly to strategic objectives, it ensures that changes not only meet employee needs but also drive key business outcomes. Choose this option if your priority is to ensure your space evolves to support day-to-day operations and long-term success—creating a dynamic workplace that adapts as your business grows.

Example:

Scorecard #3: Employee feedback

This scorecard places your employees’ input at the center of the decision-making process. By incorporating the most requested or needed changes from employees, this scorecard helps you prioritize improvements that directly address their concerns and enhance their onsite experience. Choose this option if your goal is to foster a culture of engaged and satisfied employees.

Example:

Choosing the right scorecard for your needs

Now that we’ve shared three options for prioritizing your workplace improvements, it’s time for you to select the one that will best help you build a dynamic workplace at your organization. If you’re still not sure, we recommend conducting a thorough space audit (check out our final post in the Mastering workplace design series for guidance) and then choosing the scorecard that best suits your needs. 

Here are a few tips to guide your choice:

• Consider the focus of your project. If your priority is improving employee satisfaction and responding to their feedback, the Employee feedback scorecard is the way to go. It helps prioritize changes based on what employees actually want and need.
• Evaluate available resources and timelines. If you’re working with limited time or budget and need to make quick, impactful changes, the Impact vs. effort scorecard will help you identify improvements that offer the greatest return with the least effort and cost.
• Align with business strategy and long-term goals. If you’re focused on changes that support company growth or strategic initiatives, the Strategic alignment scorecard will keep your improvements aligned with the organization’s broader objectives.

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Ready to take your workplace design to the next level? Dive into our Mastering workplace design mini-series for more insights on creating a workspace that drives both employee satisfaction and business success.