Riikka Manninen, Workplace Adviser

The development of work environments always focuses on people. In cooperation with a multidisciplinary network of partners, I produce customer-focused and activity-based concepts for the central government, with the goal of renewing the customer’s operations and facilities. The key aspects of my work include comprehensive examination and design thinking, as well as making use of data. The most important aspect is to develop concepts based on the needs of the users of the service or facility. I’m responsible for ensuring that the people related to the change can participate in the development work in many ways and that they are heard.

Indoor conditions at the workplace are likely to be appropriate if they require no attention. However, the users of our facilities report cold indoor temperatures in the winter, draughts caused by air conditioning and stuffy indoor air. In my work, I develop practices and measures to ensure good indoor air quality and the effective management of indoor conditions at government workplaces, to create pleasant work environments that promote health. In practice, this means producing instructions, models and guidelines, to name just a few examples.

When our clients make comprehensive changes to their workplaces, we support them from beginning to end. A few decades ago I was offered the opportunity to become one of the pioneers of workplace development in Finland. My strengths are that I have a comprehensive understanding of the overall view of the sector and of the directions of future development. Over these years, the concept of workplace development has grown from space planning to being a multidisciplinary speciality area. There is now also a greater understanding of the strategic possibilities offered by work environments in the management of organisations.

I usually describe myself as an electrician through and through. I started working as an electrician on building sites when I was 18. After working for various employers and gaining further qualifications, I ended up working as a specialist developing smart workplaces at Senate Properties. I’m a determined and curious person. Fortunately, in my current job, I have plenty to study and experiment with. In fact, challenges are my passion and finding a solution to a problem is the best reward.

Even as a child I was fascinated by old buildings. They oozed history and beauty that you can’t see in new buildings. That is why I have spent practically all my career as an architect working on historical buildings. For the past ten years I have specialised in a combination of fields that is quite rare in Finland: restoration and construction contracting. Accessibility became an important feature when I was in charge of castles and museums, as I believe that everyone must have equal access to buildings that are maintained by the taxpayer.

My goal is to create comfortable work environments of tomorrow that boost productivity. I cooperate closely with our customer companies’ management and employees. In modifying a work environment, the major change usually only begins once people move to the new facilities. This requires interaction between people: discussion is important. A work environment consists of many aspects. When facilities are modified, the importance of digital solutions and new ways of working cannot be stressed enough.

This is my calling: increasing the potential of knowledge work organisations and various personnel groups for making an impact. My mission is to enable productive and effective work in the central government – every day of the year! My primary job is to offer methods and procedures for both individual and communal knowledge work and anchor them in the daily work of our clients. At Senate Properties, I am responsible for knowledge work performance measurement and development services in the Work environments unit. I am also involved in the implementation of work environment development and change management services.