Space Utilisation Audit Procedure
Intent
This procedure outlines the process to use when conducting periodical space utilisation audits and has been developed to support the implementation of the Space Allocation and Management Policy and the Timetable and Class Registration Policy.
Periodic space utilisation audits will:
- Support the University Plan and space management strategies by providing and maintaining fit for purpose learning and teaching spaces.
- Identify unused bookings and free space, especially at times or in locations that are under pressure.
- Identify under utilised facilities and provide data to support space planning initiatives and master planning.
- Assist with the education of users about space.
- Through the monitoring of space use, inform decisions about providing more, withdrawing space from use, changing its function and so on.
- Meet TEFMA reporting responsibilities.
Scope
Space utilisation audits typically focus on academic teaching facilities but may be applied to other support and work spaces as well.
Rooms with automatic people counters installed and operating are typically excluded from a physical audit.
Definitions
TEFMA - Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association. TEFMA represents facilities management in the Australasian tertiary education sector. TEFMA provides 番茄社区 a benchmark in performance against other universities.
Timetabled and Non-timetabled Use- represents a complete record of utilisation of a space, regardless of whether the space had a timetabled room booking or not.
Timetabled Use Only - represents a record of utilisation of a space during period of timetabled events only.
Introduction
The TEFMA Space Planning Guidelines (current edition) are to be referenced when conducting space audits for 番茄社区.
An audit involves manually surveying the frequency with which rooms are used occupancy by counting seats are actually occupied. Utilisation rates are then determined by multiplying the room frequency by seat occupancy. Surveys are typically carried out on an hourly basis for one week period, typically post census date during the semester.
Procedure
The Estate Directorate, will conduct Space Utilisation Audits for 番茄社区, on a planned basis, and carry out the steps outlined in this procedure.
1. Audit scope
Step | Action |
---|---|
1. | Prepare an audit scoping document that includes a list of rooms to be audited (types and capacity details), budget and staffing requirements. |
2. | Confirm audit dates and periods. Dates will be selected to be representative of stable enrolment numbers, post census date for the semester. Consult with Timetabling to achieve most appropriate dates. |
3. | Determine utilisation targets. Refer TEFMA Space Planning Guidelines. |
4. | List any departures from the TEFMA Space Planning Guidelines. |
2. Audit preparation
Step | Action |
---|---|
1. | Arrange for staff to be engaged in accordance with Human Resources processes for employment of casual staff required to conduct audits. Director Estates to confirm appointments. |
2. |
Communication plan:
|
3. | Briefing and Safety meeting. To be held within two weeks prior to the audit. At this meeting the room assignments and shifts will be handed out and the duties explained. Staff required to enter laboratories will undertake laboratory specific inductions. |
4. |
Requirements for the Space Auditors:
|
5. | The following items will be supplied to each Auditor:
Items will be returned at the end of the audit along with the student occupancy records and time sheets. |
3. Audit Methodology
Audits will be consistent with the prescribed methodology outlined in the TEFMA Space Planning Guidelines.
Room audit data is recorded as Room Frequency and Room Occupancy.
Room Frequency (RF):
Room Frequency is the number of hours the room is in use during the audit period, divided by the number of hours that the room is available for use during the audited period, where:
- Hours Used = the number of hours the room was in use during the audit period.
- Hours Available = the maximum number of hours the room could be used in the audit period.
RF= | Hours Used |
---|---|
Hours Available |
Room Occupancy(Occ):
Room Occupancy represents the number of students in the room when the room is in use, compared to the total room capacity. Room Occupancy is independent of Room Frequency, where:
- Total Students = Total number of students counted in the room over the audit period.
- Capacity = the maximum number of students the room can hold, usually based on the number of seats in the room.
- Hours Used = the number of hours the room was in use during the audit period.
Occ = | Total Students |
---|---|
Capacity x Hours Used |
Calculating Utilisation (U%):
Utilisation will be calculated automatically in the table for each space type as data is entered. The formula for calculating utilisation is:
Step | Action |
---|---|
1. | Prepare spreadsheet to record audit data and calculate results. A suitable template is available from previous audits. The spreadsheet will be named “[Year] Event File” |
2. | Data entry |
3. | Prepare results tables and include in report |
4. Data Analysis
Data analysis will be carried out for the following categories as a minimum and presented within the report:
- Total number of rooms audited
- Total number of timetabled/booked events
- Percentage of timetabled/booked events with nil attendance
- Space utilisation by room
- Space utilisation by space type (audited)
- Space utilisation by space type by day sessions
- Space utilisation by space type by evening sessions
- As above but divided into:
- Timetabled and Non-timetabled Use
- Timetabled Use Only categories
Further data analysis will be carried out on a prescribed basis. The TEFMA guidelines include examples of typical data analysis types that relate to space utilisation.
Step | Action |
---|---|
1. | Perform minimum data analysis and include in report. |
2. | Perform extra data analysis as required. |
5. Reporting
A final report will be prepared and submitted to the Director Estate to be presented to executive level.
Step | Action |
---|---|
1. | Data in the audit is reported in two time periods: day sessions (8am to 5pm) and evening sessions (5pm to 9:00pm) |
2. | Prepare final report. |
3. | Submit final report to Director Estate. The report is then distributed to FIAC, the Learning,Teaching Advisory Group and if required, the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. |
Related policy instruments
Administration
NOTE: Printed copies of this procedure are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.
Approval Details
Policy Domain | University Management |
Policy Sub-domain | Estate and Facility Management |
Policy Custodian | Deputy Vice Chancellor, Services and Resources |
Approval Authority | Vice Chancellor |
Date for next Major Review | 01/12/2018 |
Revision History
Version | Approval date | Implementation date | Details | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 | 04/09/2015 | 16/09/2015 | Procedure established | Mark Norton, Space Planning Officer |