Hitachi Digital

When Hitachi Digital started on this journey, their initial objective was to develop a Standardised Workplace Strategy for their EMEA region.

As the project evolved, it became clear that this approach could deliver even greater value if expanded globally. With offices of varying sizes and scopes worldwide, Hitachi Digital sought to streamline their workplace transformation, moving away from the distributed design standards with a unified global strategy. This collaboration quickly evolved into a portfolio optimisation initiative, designed to align Hitachi Digital’s real estate decisions with its core values of harmony, sincerity, and pioneering spirit.

To achieve their vision, we collaborated closely with Hitachi Digital’steams through a series of tailored workshops. By engaging with department heads across HR, security, and operations, we gained a comprehensive understanding of their unique requirements. This process resulted in two key deliverables: a bespoke design standards playbook and an innovative space calculator.

The Design Standards Playbook served as a comprehensive toolkit for planning and executing workplace projects. It outlines Hitachi’s values, project guidelines, a detailed process for defining and delivering workplace solutions, as well as outlining their ideal workplace experience. This playbook also contains the requirements for each space typologies, such as key components, technology and ideal set up. This resource empowers local teams to align with a global standard while highlighting opportunities for regional nuances.

The Hitachi Digital Space Calculator complemented the playbook as a dynamic tool to guide space planning. By inputting metrics such as headcount, anticipated growth, and working ratios, the calculator recommends space typologies and quantities tailored to the needs of each location. This ensures optimal space utilisation, balancing efficiency with the diverse working styles of Hitachi Digital’s teams worldwide.

We presented these tools to Hitachi Digital through interactive sessions, ensuring teams across regions understood how to apply them effectively. Despite the complexities of navigating a lengthy business case approval process and adapting to varied project delivery timelines, our collaborative approach ensured successful implementation.