Cost control doesn’t mean cutting corners

February 09, 2023 | Lab Furniture

In the course of designing and constructing projects, determining the appropriate scope, ensuring operational efficiencies and long-term business continuity are necessary to offset short- and long-term cost impacts.

Lab Design News saw the need for efficient and timely cost-cutting measures so that lab owners can make the most return on their investment. They’ve figured out 6 tips on how you can cut costs without giving up on your lab space design.

Clearly define vision and goals upfront

Successful projects start with clearly defined, concrete goals which stakeholders prioritize and work collectively towards. This entails taking a proactive approach, determining the project success criteria even before the project begins so that decision-making and value standards can be identified and alternative ways can be devised if the need arises.

Find a realistic alignment between scope and budget

Early during the programming phase until its completion, a project should already be in the budget. This requires upfront and accurate insight into the scope of the program and systems for a realistic cost target to be set. When the schematic design is already underway, a continuous, critical process of cost evaluation and analysis is done to make sure that costs remain on target.

Right-size spaces

As labs are typically designed and based around a laboratory module, identifying the most suitable module requires a deep understanding of the project’s science and the requirements necessary to make it function. Depending on the scale of the project, it is imperative to adjust the module within the existing structural framework to reduce costs and inefficiencies.

Don't over-design

Having a clear understanding of the life cycle costs of systems and infrastructure required to complete the project vision and allowing space for future growth and expansion of these systems is a necessary strategy. Considering these initial investments can lead to achieving longer-term operational cost savings.

Seek out opportunities to accelerate the construction schedule

Almost always, the schedule is an overlooked chance to reduce costs. Reducing the time required for project completion, without adversely impacting project goals, needs tight coordination among the stakeholders. Exploring these opportunities for the schedule to accelerate require sound decision-making at different points in time during the standard process. Thus, it is key to identify these openings as early as possible.

Seek out opportunities to accelerate the construction schedule

Amost always, the schedule is an overlooked chance to reduce costs. Reducing the time required for project completion, without adversely impacting project goals, needs tight coordination among the stakeholders. Exploring these opportunities for schedule to accelerate require sound decision-making at different points in time during the standard process. Thus, it is key to dentify these openings as early as possible.

Seek out opportunities to accelerate the construction schedule

Amost always, the schedule is an overlooked chance to reduce costs. Reducing the time required for project completion, without adversely impacting project goals, needs tight coordination between the stakeholders. Exploring these opportunities for schedule to accelerate require sound decision-making at different points in time during the standard process. Thus, it is key to dentify these openings as early as possible.

Design a resilient lab to protect your investment

Even though research tends to be more recession-proof compared to other sectors during dynamic events, the fragile nature of the built environment cannot be underestimated. Guarding institutional investment and protecting research assets is crucial. Stakeholders should think about adaptability, protective measures based on data trend lines, and employing AI systems in analyzing real-time data in implementing rapid pre-determined responses.

Seek out opportunities to accelerate the construction schedule

Amost always, the schedule is an overlooked chance to reduce costs. Reducing the time required for project completion, without adversely impacting project goals, needs tight coordination between the stakeholders. Exploring these opportunities for schedule to accelerate require sound decision-making at different points in time during the standard process. Thus, it is key to dentify these openings as early as possible.

Seek out opportunities to accelerate the construction schedule

Amost always, the schedule is an overlooked chance to reduce costs. Reducing the time required for project completion, without adversely impacting project goals, needs tight coordination between the stakeholders. Exploring these opportunities for schedule to accelerate require sound decision-making at different points in time during the standard process. Thus, it is key to dentify these openings as early as possible.

These tips encourage lab owners to look beyond traditional approaches, to seek for novel cost-saving synergies and opportunities to ensure economic business success and the continuity into the foreseeable future.