Sustera

Needs Assessment to Support Office Search and Strategy

Completion Year:

2024

Project Size:

3000 m2

Industry:

Property management

Services:

Real estate advisory

New Office Spaces to Support Expertise

Sustera decided to completely revamp the location and working environment of its headquarters. Before beginning the search for new premises, an inclusive and empirical needs assessment was conducted to define staff requirements, management strategy, and statistical analytics as a unified direction. The assessment enabled Sustera to answer questions regarding space size, location, and usage while establishing a solid foundation for the office decision. As a leading lifecycle property consultancy in Finland and Sweden, Sustera now leverages these new, flexible, user-centered spaces in its expert work, combining client focus with employee well-being.

Needs Assessment Created a Unified Direction for Decision-Making

The needs assessment began with an analysis of the current situation: space utilization, accessibility, working methods, and staff requirements were systematically mapped through surveys and interviews. The evaluation of scenarios took into account the need for specialized spaces, commuting, CO₂ emissions, and accessibility via different modes of transport. The process created a clear and transparent basis for decision-making that considered both management and employee perspectives. The result was a comprehensible, fact-based overall picture, enabling an effective and well-founded search and selection of office spaces.

Research-Based Decisions Fostered Engagement and Accelerated Change

The needs assessment provided a solid and realistic basis for space allocations and cost estimates. The results were presented to staff before the office search began, increasing understanding and commitment to the process. The change in headquarters’ location and work environment was significant and naturally sparked discussion. However, decisions made based on the assessment were clear and data-driven, providing a secure foundation for subsequent steps.

At the conclusion of the process, Sustera signed a lease for a property that met all the needs assessment requirements and offered flexibility for expert work, including access through the Colony workspace network. The new offices were commissioned in February 2025, approximately one year after the start of the assessment, enabling a smooth transition to a new, expertise-driven working environment.