Observation only

Do not touch, adjust, open, or troubleshoot equipment. Follow the agreed scope and use the established local handoff for observations.

Illustrative 45-minute agenda

Fictional Northstar Works workshop timing; a facilitator should adapt it to the approved local scope.

Invite the appropriate local facilities role to confirm the route for routine observations and immediate concerns before the walkthrough.

  1. 1

    Orient — 0–5 min

    Confirm the area in scope, the observation-only boundary, and how notes will be handed off.

  2. 2

    Observe — 5–25 min

    Walk the agreed route. Record visible conditions in shared spaces without interrupting work.

  3. 3

    Compare notes — 25–35 min

    Separate direct observations from questions or assumptions. Check that each note says where and when the observation occurred.

  4. 4

    Route findings — 35–45 min

    Send routine notes through the established local Facilities handoff. Use the organization's urgent-issue route for an immediate concern.

What to record

Capture observable details, not a diagnosis or an estimate of savings.

Lighting and daylight

Record the area, time, and whether lights appeared on or off; note whether daylight was present.

  • Describe what you could see.
  • Do not change a control.

Occupied and unoccupied spaces

Note whether a shared area appeared occupied during the pass and what visible conditions you noticed.

  • Record the time and location.
  • Do not infer why the area was in use or empty.

Visible controls

Note the presence and location of visible controls only.

  • Do not operate or test a control.
  • Route questions to the local facilities owner.

Handoff and ownership

The local facilities owner should confirm the approved walkthrough scope and routine handoff before the session. This example does not name a contact or establish a route. Use your workplace's established urgent-issue procedure for an immediate concern; a walkthrough is not an emergency response process.