Post occupancy evaluation (POE) in government office buildings: a literature review

Abstract

The construction industry is a vital sector in the global economy, with governments acting as one of its primary clients. Despite this significance, many public office buildings have recurring issues in operation and environment, which affect satisfaction, comfort, and productivity for users. Therefore, research aims to develop a framework for the adoption of post occupancy evaluation (POE) in government office buildings. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to recognize pertinent issues with government buildings and their effect on occupants. The research evaluates POE as a tool capable of addressing such issues by providing a systematic assessment of building performance from the user's perspective. A framework is built to explain the linkages between the identified issues, impact on the user, and the intervention function of the POE. Further, the framework presents how POEs act as an intervention device that leads to many advantages, such as improving building operation, evidence-based decision-making, and additional occupant satisfaction; however, the use of a POE in the public sector is hampered by many obstacles, such as institutional inertia, lack of awareness, and resource constraints. The framework also offered strategies to clear these barriers and enhance the use of POE as a building management staple where continuous improvement is prioritized for government office environments.