What the hell is a model office

A Model Office knits together the people, process, and technology components of a new proposed solution. It iteratively tests it against real scenarios within a simulated work environment to evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of that solution.  The Model Office engages the key people involved in the solution early in the development process — allowing for feedback as the solution is being developed. It is also a great way to obtain buy-in from all necessary parties, as it allows you to demonstrate the benefits of the solution early in the development process.  A Model Office:  Unearths and tests assumptions baked into a solution to ensure it delivers the desired customer experience  Validates that the new solution satisfies functional goals and meets performance and quality targets  Facilitates early knowledge transfer to business teams — reducing the severity of the learning curve for staff who will use the solution  Enables the gathering of feedback from a wider audience and adjusts the solution to meet identified needs and mitigate project risk  Enables early identification of gaps in process, people, and technology  Facilitates iterative design for the optimal way to fill potential gaps  Encourages buy-in and develops champions for the new solution — easing the transition through delivery.