Practical Tips: Change
You may find some of the key practical hints and tips gathered here can give you a head-start. Our expanding collection of online Case Studies also feature the facility to sift through the material by section - so you can look at lessons learned and top tips from across a range of institutions.
View the full list of Top Tips sections from our Case Studies
View the full list of Lessons Learned sections from our Case Studies
University of Cumbria (formerly St Martin's College)
Appoint an architect and project manager that really understands the project and what it is trying to achieve; don't be frightened to challenge the established wisdom that was once the province of Estates.
Be bold; if the project is experimental - say so.
Disseminate the benefits of the project and think about how best to engage your user community.
Think about the support for users at a very early stage.
Use language and terminology that describes the intended use of the building - not necessarily how it might have been used in the past.
Manage expectations: just because it is a new space it doesn't mean it can solve all problems for all people.
Build trust in the users so they will feel empowered to use the whole range of equipment and ask for support when required.
New College Durham
Be realistic about how long the design stage takes...you only get one chance and it's worth the effort to get it right up front.
Build in maximum flexibility to respond to changing needs.
Think about the next 20 years and be prepared to live with every decision you make.
It is difficult for academic staff to create a vision when they are fully engaged in day to day activity. They incline to do what they already do in better surroundings. The opportunity to challenge what is taught and how could be missed.
You have to present academic staff with a vision and challenge them. People have difficulty understanding plans and they can't visualise what the build will look like. They find it very hard to think in 3D.
People don't expect to change the way they teach even when this is part of the vision.
Northumbria University
It takes time for changes to bed-in and students may not always use the spaces in anticipated ways - do not get disheartened and be patient.
Matthew Boulton College
A new build is an ideal time for change but undertake it before the move. Step changes are possible.
The best innovators are the teachers but they need the tools.
It won't all work on day one!
There were cultural changes involved including the moving away from paper based records, it was difficult for some staff to surrender some of the paperwork they had accumulated over many years.
The use of technology was a step change and challenging for many staff. Significant ongoing training is required. The move was seen as a new job not just a relocation.
Durham University
The first year the Techno-Café was open the students had huge adjustment problems. They liked the facility but they had become ingrained in old ways of doing things. It was actually very hard to encourage them to use any other approach to working.
Glasgow Caledonian University
Look at what information you have on services as an indicator of how to change things. If there are gaps back-up major decisions with research.
Lots of appropriate situational technology is better than 'high-tech' solutions that few understand. Encourage people to bring and use their own technology.
If it is innovative and in line with the learning and teaching strategy, and other relevant strategies such as the estates strategies; that doesn't mean that everyone is going to like it.
Celebrate the opening. Prepare resources for academics to introduce the new facilities to students.
Visit other places to see what you do not want to do as much as what you do want to do.
Be innovative.
University of Sussex
Visual representation is important. It is difficult for people to buy in to something they can't fully understand. Get a representation quickly so that people know what you are talking about.
