How do I schedule a study?
Scheduling a study is the first step to creating a study in the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com) In the "New study" creation window, you set the study duration by inputting the start and end dates, typically one or two weeks. Later on in the study set up you will set tour times, typically at least one in the morning and one in the afternoon oSome readersWhat should I say to office staff before the study starts?
Before the survey begins, the first thing the office manager or observers must do is to explain that the surveys about to be conducted are not intended to monitor their performance as employees. Its sole purpose is to note how the office space is being used throughout the day to both help identify where potential modifications could be made in the layout to improve the working environment and also reduce real estate costs where evidence suggests so that funds can be used towards another applicFew readersHow do I recruit observers?
The process of recruitment is entirely up to you and there are many options! Some companies choose to ask students or people who are studying facilities management to help out. This provides free experience for the students as well as gives you peace of mind that the job will be done right. You might also hire observers through a staffing agency or through a commercial real estate consultancy. Another possibility is to recruit your own company employees to conduct the observations or your fFew readersHow to complete study setup and common reasons why your study won't start / isn't accessible to an observer
The first step in making sure your study is ready to go is to complete the setup process. Whilst in "Study Setup" found in the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com), it is very important to make sure the checklist on the left hand side of the "Draft study" page is showing a green ✓checkmark, which means the step is completed. Follow the directionsFew readersHow do I upload floor plans?
Uploading floor plans is a simple and easy process! Navigate to the “Study setup” page found in the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com) and scroll down to the “Buildings & Floors” section. From here, on the right hand side of the page will be an “Add new floor” option. A popup window will appear for you to add a name and prefix for the floorSome readersHow do I mark out workspaces on my floor plan?
Using the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com), assign workspaces to your floor plan by navigating to the “Study setup” page and scroll down to the “Buildings & Floors” section. From here, find the building and floor you wish to modify and on the right hand side will be a “Manage workspaces” option. On the following page, you will be presented with your uploaded floor plan. By default, without you selecting an option, you can use the mouse to start marking out ySome readersCan I test my study before it goes live?
For testing a study we have built a feature called Preview Mode to be used before the study starts. You can train your observers, check on missed workspaces, make sure tour timing is right, and observers can practice tours a day or two before so they know their routes and how to use the app properly. Just set up your study with the intended start and end date (no need to set the start date earlier). No payment is necessary, once you complete Steps 1-5 in Study Setup, you can log in to ySome readersHow do I deal with unexpected problems while observing?
Our clients sometimes find that unexpected problems can occur while observing. However rare, iPads can be damaged by accident, batteries can run out, etc. In these instances, the study managers often find it useful to have a paper- or Excel-based backup plan to manually cover any tours that are affected. We recommend all users formulate a backup plan to protect against these and other surprises. Vantage Space can also help you in these unfortunate situations in the following ways: You caFew readersWhat should I say to office staff after the study is finished?
Make sure that you inform the office staff that the study process is finished and complete. This way you avoid any confrontation or confusion if someone is seen still walking around afterwards. For example, it might be necessary to re-enter the building to confirm the location of a desk. It also helps keep a professional image for your company!Few readersFAQ: How can I re-assign workspaces to a new or existing team member to my ongoing, live study?
Note: You will first need to invite a new team member using the "Manage Team" option on the left hand side of the web app. Enter their email address and they will be sent a confirmation email accept the invitation. Option 1: You can also re-assign every workspace to someone else on the "Setup -Workspaces" section. (See the re-assign icon on the far right.) Option 2: To re-assign the workspaces to a new observer: 1- Go to your surveSome readersFAQ: How do I change the time zone for a study?
Each workplace study has a timezone. This timezone must match the timezone of the location where you are carrying out the study. Vantage Space uses the timezone to calculate the correct tour times and other critical information. All of the devices that are used to collect data for a study must use the same timezone as the study. If you need to change the timezone for a study: Sign in to your account on the website. Under Live Studies, find the correct study. ClicFew readersFAQ: How would I set up a kitchenette, Break room and canteen?
If they're three discrete locations we'd advise creating a workspace for each one, with a maximum capacity matching their designed number of people. If there aren't specific places for people to sit, you might have to make an estimation based on the number of appliances that can be used at once.Few readersFAQ: Is it possible to transfer a study to another organisation?
It is not possible to transfer studies from one organisation to another. Organisations have very specific settings, which are inherited to the project. Please contact support if this is important/necessary.Few readersFAQ: The “Manage tour times option” is not available. How can I alter the start times for each tour?
Once a study has begun, tour start times cannot be altered. You can however change the end date of a study to an earlier date if you'd wish in the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com). Note: If you have any simple data amends, we maFew readersFAQ: How do I delete a floor?
To avoid accidentally deleting floors that you may have spent a lot of time preparing, we ask you to delete all of the workspaces from a floor before you can delete the floor itself. To remove all of the workspaces from a floor: Go to the workspace editor by clicking the Workspaces tab on the top navigation bar. Make sure that you are on the correct floor. Click the multi select option from the top right, and drag a box all of the way across the floorplan to sFew readersFAQ: Can you offer support in setting up other observers on my study?
Only a current user with "Owner" or "Manager" status can edit the survey and invite more people to a study. Once logged in on the web app, training and on-boarding videos and materials are accessible via the help & support section on the left hand side of the page. Many questions and curiosities regarding all aspects of setting up and running surveys can be satisfied at learn.vantagespace.com. And, if you have more questions, email us at team@vantagespace.coFew readersFAQ: I have a study that is going live, however it says I do not have credits for it to go live?
Please make sure that the check list on the left side of the setup page found in the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com) is complete with green checkmarks. Note: Please be aware that tours will need setting up before you will be able to run the study!Few readersFAQ: How do I re-open a study that has closed?
To protect the quality of your study data, you cannot re-open a study once it has closed. You can change the closing date of a study at any time until the study has closed.Few readersFAQ: How do I change the closing date for a study?
You can change the closing date of a study at any time until the study has closed. To change the closing date for a study: Select the study from the Live or Draft list on the VS website. Go to the SETUP tab. Click on Step 1, Study Info, and click Edit Study Info. Change the Study Dates. Click the Save button at the bottom of the page. A study may be up to four weeks in length. If you need your study to be open for more than fourFew readersFAQ: Can I make changes to the floor plan once the study has begun?
Yes! You have the ability to update floor plans via the web app (https://my.vantagespace.com) on the fly should a modification need to be made. Once you are happy, the app will re-sync automatically after ten minutes but to be extra sure, you can manually sync the app in the settings tab to continue right away!Few readersFAQ: Is each observation a study? What is an "observation" as compared to a "study"?
No, each "observation" is not a "study". An "observation" is the data recorded for each workspace during an assigned study tour time. A "study" consists of all study tour times for a specified set of workspaces over a specified period of time, typically one or two weeks. A "study tour time" is assigned in study set-up. There can be one or many tours per day. Common practice is to have at least one tour in the morning and one tour in the afternoon and even more common is one per hour or pFew readers