Co-location
Synergy
Cost
Shared Core
Capabilities
Risk
Lab Space
Optimization
Compliance
Is the existing lab space utilized to maximize value to
the campus?
Could another function occupy the existing lab space more effectively?
Does the existing program under-utilize the capabilities
of the space (i.e. a computing lab in a high bay)
Does the current location optimize adjacencies to
other programs?
Lab Space Optimization
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Vibration sources and sensitive measurements
RF sources and sensitive electronics
Lab cleanliness requirements
High bay vehicle space and access
Some considerations include:
Can research activities be safely supported?
Are existing facilities technically reliable enough to assure test results are accurate and repeatable?
Are research/engineering activities hindered in any way by the existing facilities?
Do the activities and equipment in the facility interfere with being a "good neighbor“ to other facilities in
the building?
Compliance
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Risk
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Does the research program utilize any functions
(e.g., anechoic test chamber, or antenna platform) or support capability (i.e. machine shop) that are shared across programs?
If not, would relocation allow the research program to take advantage of shared functions and capabilities?
Shared Capabilities
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Cost
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Does the current facility support synergy through personnel interactions, and opportunities to share staff resources across projects with similar
facility needs?
If not, could this synergy be better supported elsewhere?
Co-location Synergy
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Would co-location with other programs under consideration result in more and richer collaborations?
Assessing Existing Facilities
Facilities assessments can help institutions assess their building stock based on
its ability to support research programs. Priorities will vary in each institution,
but there are some general considerations that will apply in most situations.
These considerations can systematically be built into an assessment matrix,
and weighted appropriately, to assist in making decisions regarding new facilities,
program needs, and resource allocation across campus.
Can operating costs be significantly reduced
by relocating?
What are the cost impacts of relocating?
Financial Risk
How will downtime affect graduate student timetables (if applicable)?
How will downtime associated with relocating impact the research functions and sponsored projects?
Operational Risk
Will moving research functions cause a loss of critical features of the facility?
Will the pick-up and put-down of the facility cause harm to the instruments, test results, or the program?
Technical Risk
Will capital costs of new facilities outweigh on-going operating costs (deferred maintenance, energy use)?
Is it more cost effective to upgrade in place than to build new?
For example, does the current program include “high cost” spaces (e.g., cleanrooms and anechoic chambers) that would be expensive to move and/or replace?
What are the costs associated with moving or replacing research functions to a different location?