Coordinator(s)

Geir Karsten Hansen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Objectives and Scopes

Within the scope of the commission there is a focus on the concept of usability of workplaces, as applied in a range of building types, including commercial buildings and buildings for healthcare and education.

Research themes within this scope include:

  • Usability concepts, tools and methods
  • Economy, efficiency and effectiveness
  • Context, culture, situation, performance, experience.

The Commission’s objectives are:

  • to conduct a series of case studies and associated workshops, involving users, practitioners and researchers in a programme of action research
  • to develop concepts of usability for application in practice
  • to promote, develop and share methods, processes and techniques for the evaluation of the built environment in use.

Current Work Programme

The following presents the Workplan of the commission for the years 2006-2008:

  • further round of collaborative case studies and workshops
  • annual symposium to consider and discuss results of usability case studies
  • dissemination and publication.

Planned Output

Publication of a Research Roadmap on Usability of Workplaces

External Relations

The Commission will seek to develop active, working relationships with other key groupings and associations directly involved in similar, relevant research, including:

  • European Facility Management Network (EuroFM)
  • International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
  • CoreNet Global
  • International Faculty of Facilities Management (IFFM)

Membership

Members of the Working Commission are appointed representatives of CIB Member Organisations or Individual CIB Members. A condition for such commission membership is the willingness and ability to conduct a case study in the respective commission format and together with industrial partners and host a workshop.

Status

This Commission was established in March 2006 as the successor of the former CIB Task Group TG51 – Usability of Workplaces.