The 4 Keys to Designing a Command Center That Works

There’s an art and a technique to designing a command center that works. Command centers, in some capacity, have been around for thousands of years. Even in medieval times, the castle was the command center for the kingdom, and the goals were the same as they are today: to maintain situational awareness, to manage threats, and to secure the organization. Today’s command centers are vastly different than the castle’s keep, but the design is just as important. Here are four keys to designing a modern command center that works for your organization:

#1: Planning, Planning, and More Planning

Command center design cannot, and should not, be a “fly by the seat of your pants” proposition. Planning is critical to the success of the design. Extensive planning to ensure effective workflow, continuity of operations, and attention to detail will help ensure the success of this investment for your business. Buy-in from all key players is a necessity, and can often take time to incorporate the needs of all stakeholders. Don’t skimp on the planning process and the time needed to get it right.

#2: Technology Integration

The Knights of the Roundtable didn’t need to worry about integrating video walls with computer stations and workspaces, along with communication and security infrastructure. Today’s command centers need to consider not only the technology needed going forward, but also the incorporation of legacy systems. When designing your room, it’s vital to include all the tech hardware, software, electrical, and space needs to make sure it’s ready to fit, manage, and run everything you and your team need to keep your center working around the clock.

#3: Use of Space

A command center is rarely made up of just one room with a bunch of workstations. It often requires meeting and support spaces as well. Briefings, meetings, and employee rest periods are necessary components of the center that make it fully functional. During the design phase, consider the work done at the command center, so you don’t have to face expensive retrofits down the road to make it work.

#4: Smart Design Includes Ergonomic Focus

A command center is only as successful as the team that works in it, and successful team members need to be comfortable to be effective. One of the biggest complaints of technicians in a variety of command centers is fatigue and physical ailments from sitting at poorly designed consoles with inappropriate seats. Optimizing body position and reducing visual and workflow obstruction are the keys to an ergonomic workspace. Make this a priority in the design phase.

Designing a command center that works for your business is the goal of our expert team at Fountainhead Control Rooms. Find out more by getting in touch with us today.