SERVICES
Too often an organization’s core competency suffers from the distractions not related to their main business. For organizations large and small Dovetail delivers a unique methodology resulting in significant savings of project resources, while instilling practices and strategies that do not create diversions from what your organization does best. The scope of FF&E related strategic planning and implementation services offered has been created in direct response to the needs of our clients. We are comprehensive in our approach. Our service is extensive, from simple and straight-forward planning for new environments with all new FF&E product, to extremely complex, multi-phased projects utilizing only existing FF&E and physical space. Whether the project is in the conceptual stages or just prior to occupancy, our staff can effectively integrate with the project team and add tangible value.
- PROJECT COORDINATION
PROJECT COORDINATION
Coordination of all aspects of FF&E, including new and existing, is the hallmark service of Dovetail. As the client liaison for all planning, implementation and closeout activities related to FF&E, Dovetail has developed a seamless planning and integration methodology to address this challenging aspect of a program. Within a two-phase process, the project team is provided with critical coordination details well ahead of construction. This allows for the FF&E details to be effectively “dovetailed” with the building design, providing for a realistic timeframe for order placement, implementation and occupancy for all project FF&E in order to meet the target date. The package of services provides our clients with the confidence that all aspects of FF&E are being anticipated and managed with direct accountability by a single point of contact. - FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
This service provides a client with an analytical assessment of a potential project’s viability relative to either the reuse of existing FF&E, or planning for new Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment. The scope of such assessment includes FF&E related budgeting, spatial utilization, product applications, costs related to building interface modification, and implementation strategy. The objective is to inform the organization as to the most efficient strategy for the project. - RELOCATION STRATEGIES
RELOCATION STRATEGIES
This service focuses on analyzing the organization’s needs relative to a planned move. Varying levels of services are chosen to best support the specific requirements of the project. These services range from maximizing the capabilities of third party moving planners to promoting engagement of the client representative. All services address the challenges related to the occupancy of a space, and provide the most effective approach for the project. Dovetail’s experience with space planning, the integration of IT requirements, existing product assessment, vendors and third party service provider coordination delivers many benefits to the project team, and reduce the stress faced by the users. The end result is a successful project and a satisfied client. - FURNITURE STANDARDS
FURNITURE STANDARDS
Through the Decision Criteria Process™, Dovetail guides the client through the development of performance standards. This approach builds the foundation for Furniture Standards in a multitude of applications. Clients begin making intentional choices based on performance that resolve higher level business issues rather than allowing emotional or crisis-based decisions. With the capacity to make the most appropriate selections and decisions based on the mission, vision and values of the organization, the development of furniture standards for desired applications support a Total Cost of Ownership framework. The result of this successful process is a well defined, readily implemented, long term standards program which maximizes the organizational resources. - ASSESSMENT SERVICES
ASSESSMENT SERVICES
Dovetail’s extensive expertise in evaluating existing conditions provides an invaluable resource to our clients. In order to effectively manage their FF&E inventory, clients receive a realistic and balanced assessment of their environment from the perspective of key decision points. Concise recommendations for reutilization, disposition or replacement of FF&E are prepared, in a format that can be imported into FUSION, supporting efficient budgeting and decision making for the District over the life of the items. - OCCUPANCY SERVICES
OCCUPANCY SERVICES
With dwindling budgets and staffing, there are times when the task of coordination for occupancy of a new or temporary location demands the engagement of outside support to assist the internal team. This service offers basic planning and coordination tools, so that internal resources can be utilized suitably. Typically a project will be reusing existing FF&E, with little to no new items or vendor support. The Dovetail team provides guidance and structure to the process, while complementing the client’s internal resources. - DESIGN GUIDELINES
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Design Guidelines build a foundation for protecting organizational resources. These documents are developed through a collaborative effort between client leadership, the architectural team, facilities and key project organizational members. It consists of both written and graphic depiction of the building components as they relate to the current and potential utilization of FF&E within characteristic spaces. The intention of these guidelines is that they become an edifying roadmap for architects, contractors and project teams in the development of future spaces. - FUNCTIONAL INVENTORIES
FUNCTIONAL INVENTORIES
Oftentimes a client is faced with the challenge of integrating existing FF&E into a new building project. This proprietary tool provides an in-depth analysis of current conditions, and offers pragmatic recommendations based on a client’s specific business issues and operational objectives. The service creates a detailed assessment of items that go beyond traditional data typically gathered, and supports project decisions by making the most of existing FF&E investments. - PROCESS TRAINING
PROCESS TRAINING
With over a decade of pioneering the processes for responsible and effective FF&E planning, Dovetail now offers a series of training courses for industry professionals that provide the foundational approaches and tools necessary to assure successful integration on a project. Whether from the perspective of a designer, planner, construction manager or client, the responsibilities of addressing FF&E are addressed in a direct and meaningful manner. Participants gain valuable knowledge of how to guide decision making, avoid common pitfalls in planning, and hold vendors accountable for a successful project outcomes. - MASTER PLANNING
MASTER PLANNING
The Furniture Fixtures and Equipment Master Plan augment a typical Facilities Master Plan Program by reflecting a strategy to provide the FF&E that supports the facilities and the mission statement of the organization. This strategic planning process assists the leadership and staff with evaluating the institution’s true needs, relative to their long term operational objectives, and development of a strategy to meet those needs. Clients select the level of detail desired in the plan, from strategic overview to detailed project implementation processes. The end result delivers a focused, objective resource that is a clear and definitive process map for implementing an effective and efficient FF&E program. An organization must take the time to plan where they are going, otherwise they may not like where they end up. - STRATEGIC SOURCING PLANNING
STRATEGIC SOURCING PLANNING
This tool guides the client through a series of structured interviews to identify current best practices and opportunities for decision making improvement in the processes of selection and procurement of FF&E. The collection of responses identifies risk factors and cost implications for the organization. Dovetail offers comprehensive recommendations which provide specific metrics to empower the organization, and to enhance the decision making process through strategic alignment of operational goals and broad-based understanding of implications. The result increases operational efficiencies and appropriate budget planning. - PEER REVIEW
PEER REVIEW
Typically FF&E will be planned using a variety of mechanisms, from the architect to a specific vendor. The Peer Review process is one in which the Dovetail subject matter expertise of building integration, code compliance and total cost of ownership relative to FF&E are brought to the table as a review service only. Following a detailed review of the project documents, a report is generated which highlights the potential challenges within the layout or product selection, identifies opportunities for revision to improve outcomes, and presents concepts that might not have been entertained by the project planner. This assures the client that the FF&E will not become a crisis for the owner, neither today nor tomorrow.