The Importance of Subject Matter Expertise for Control Room Design

The importance of subject matter expertise for control room design has been hotly debated. Businesses and government agencies get the best results when designing and building control rooms when working with someone who knows what they’re doing. So, let’s take a look at some reasons why.

What Is a Subject Matter Expert?

A subject matter expert, or SME, has broad and extensive knowledge of a particular function, technology, or process. They can use their expertise to solve problems, create solutions, or meet challenges. SMEs have a combination of education, training, experience, and subject-matter knowledge. They become experts and are often sought out by non-SMEs.

Control Rooms Are Unique

Control rooms serve a very specific and unique function. They are unlike customer service facilities, where every company has a similar setup with cubicles, technology, and operators. Similarly, they are not like corporate locations, where everyone has an office or a cubicle that all look the same. Control rooms need special consideration. They often operate around the clock. Furthermore, the people who work in them usually serve a critical function either for the company or the general public. These operators have precise technological needs.

Subject Matter Expertise Is Critical in Control Room Design

Workflow, function, and access to information are all critical in a control room. Common types of control rooms include:

• 911 Call Centers
• Air Traffic Control Centers
• Real Time Crime Centers
• Security control for businesses or buildings
• Control rooms for refineries or power plants

Design considerations such as workspace setup, technology integration, video wall location, sight lines,  and traffic flow are all important. In addition, operator and staff comfort and ergonomics help them function effectively.

So, if you try to design a control room without the involvement of an SME, you could be setting yourself and your business up for trouble. Poor design can lead to many issues. And, these issues can include a lack of productivity, duplication of efforts, operator discomfort and fatigue. Poor design can also cause delayed responses to incoming information and increased error rates.

How Fountainhead Control Rooms Can Help

Control rooms require specialized design with attention to functionality, efficiency, effectiveness, and detail. Fortunately, when you’re ready to design and build a new control room, or retrofit and upgrade an existing one, you can count on the team at Fountainhead Control Rooms. And our experts have the background and experience to ensure the success of any control room design you need for your business or agency.

From site survey and needs analysis to equipment specs, workstation design, space and lighting plans, and furniture design, we are your one-stop shop for your control room design and build. Connect with Fountainhead Control Rooms today to work with the industry’s top team. We offer subject-matter expertise in control room design.