IT Support Room Layout

[ThomL]

I wasn't sure which of the sub forums to submit this to, but a spin on "How do you do ....it?" to "How would you do it?" kinda works?

 

I'd like to rearrange the IT Support Office, but I'm looking for ideas/layout options, things to mention:

• 2 IT Staff in the office, 1 technician, 1 network manager.
• It would be nice for the technician to clearly be the first person for staff/students to interactive with when visiting the office
• The door to the office is on the 90" wall, the 199" wall has a large window - roughly the size of the rectangle in the image.
• I've asked ChatGPT and Grok - AI failed miserably with this task!

 

It feels like there should be a few options, but in reality there isn't much that works in the space... Maybe I've just been looking at the room and floor plan too much. Ideas appreciated!

Edited August 7, 2025 by ThomL

[ThomL]

Maybe this could work, Technician up front, network manager at back, space on bottom right to work with staff/students on issues or image 2/3 desktops / fix things? 

 

It maybe worth mentioning we have another area connected to the server room that could be used for imaging more desktops, storing equipment etc. we have a small cabinet that contains items worth having at hand for the day to day stuff, but other items live in this area near the server room and doesn't have to be stored in the office I'm trying to rearrange.

 

 

Edited August 7, 2025 by ThomL

[Rob_D]

A couple of ideas here:

When we were redoing the repro office I was told that you need at least a 1m clearance gap for the fire escape rout (the path people will take out of the office). Just something to bare in mind.

 

 

[robintech]

Difficult to say until you start using it

 

For myself I prefer to have the students behind me or to the side with a shared desk area but we do a lot of BYOD , have a  Fire Door Retainer so its open unless I'm working on something potentially confidential . Don't think many people do it like this though.

Edited August 7, 2025 by robintech
Added picture of AutoZone checkout

[LeMarchand]

I'd recommend this.

 

[paulkerton]

22 minutes ago, LeMarchand said:

I'd recommend this.

 

 

Hope there aren't any stair cases! 😁

[sigma]

3 hours ago, ThomL said:

Maybe this could work, Technician up front, network manager at back, space on bottom right to work with staff/students on issues or image 2/3 desktops / fix things? 

 

It maybe worth mentioning we have another area connected to the server room that could be used for imaging more desktops, storing equipment etc. we have a small cabinet that contains items worth having at hand for the day to day stuff, but other items live in this area near the server room and doesn't have to be stored in the office I'm trying to rearrange.

 

 

Were I the technician, I would be unhappy about you peering over my shoulder all day 

and getting a pain in the neck from having to keep spinning round to speak to you.

[sigma]

1 minute ago, sigma said:

Were I the technician, I would be unhappy about you peering over my shoulder all day 

and getting a pain in the neck from having to keep spinning round to speak to you.

And as a manager, the contents of my screen shouldn’t be visible through the window. 
 

Try the desks face to face sideways to the window? 

[TechMonkey]

1 hour ago, sigma said:

Were I the technician, I would be unhappy about you peering over my shoulder all day 

and getting a pain in the neck from having to keep spinning round to speak to you.

What, as a technician, are you doing that your manager shouldn't see?  & how much time do you think your manager has to sit staring at your screen to catch you out?

 

I agree about the contents of screens being visible to windows, but some blinds or reflective film would sort that.

@Rob_D's second plan looks nice. Only change I would suggest is to get rid of the cupboards and have desking/worksurface under the window and along the awkward wall.  Space to spread out or lay things out is a god send. Storage or organisation can then be put under them.

[sigma]

1 hour ago, TechMonkey said:

What, as a technician, are you doing that your manager shouldn't see?  & how much time do you think your manager has to sit staring at your screen to catch you out?

 

It shows a total lack of trust or respect.  It is intrusive and would make most people feel very uncomfortable.

 

 

[DalekSec]

1 minute ago, sigma said:

It shows a total lack of trust or respect.  It is intrusive and would make most people feel very uncomfortable.

 

 

 

Depends on your tech, my last office setup i could see both of my techs and never had issues, i trust them both and never found myself having to look at their screens to know if they're working. 

[ThomL]

18 minutes ago, sigma said:

It shows a total lack of trust or respect.  It is intrusive and would make most people feel very uncomfortable.

 

 

 

There could be more dynamics at play warranting this, not that I'm saying there is. I spent 5 years with my manager directly behind me and it didn't bother me, guess it will depend person to person. 

The office is on the first floor, with a frosted windows - back to the window isn't a concern from a screen privacy point of view... should've mentioned this at the start 🤦‍♂️

 

Thanks for recommendations so far, I haven't had the time to read through the thread properly but will try to find some time soon. 

[TechMonkey]

9 minutes ago, sigma said:

It shows a total lack of trust or respect.  It is intrusive and would make most people feel very uncomfortable.

Not sure I would agree with that. Are you saying that if your screen can be overseen by someone you are untrusted and disrespected? Using that as a measure doesn't leave a lot of options for room layout.

If that worry came up in an interview, I would be concerned that it was an overly defensive response and potentially have safeguarding concerns.  The office isn't being setup to spy on the tech, it is being set up to work for the department. As a manager it would be up to that person to allay those concerns but ultimately if that is what works, to receive pupils and ensure data protection of sensitive work, then so be it.

I guess it depends on the team dynamic and the leadership style. If a manager was constantly commenting on what was up on a Tech's screen either the manager is micromanaging and needs to calm and get on with their own work, or the tech is regularly going off task and not getting the work done. Both of those are a people/HR issue, not an office organisation issue

[sigma]

There is a difference between having a screen where it can be seen, and under their managers eyeballs. No problem with the first, but in 45 years, I have never been in the situation of the second, and would object to it.