Service description
Not every chair suits every body, and a poorly specified seat costs far more in lost productivity and absenteeism than a well-chosen one. We collect anthropometric data from your team, map it against available seating categories, and produce a specification document that tells your procurement team exactly which chair models, adjustment ranges, and accessories to source — without naming brands, so you can tender competitively. We also produce a desk-height and monitor-arm specification for each workstation type in your office.
- 01
Who this service is for
This engagement suits HR directors and facilities managers who are about to procure new seating or height-adjustable desks and want the specification to be defensible, not arbitrary. It is also relevant for organizations that have already purchased seating and are experiencing persistent complaints about discomfort or fatigue — a specification review can identify the gap between what was bought and what was needed.
Because we work exclusively with businesses, our consultants understand the procurement pressures involved: budget approval cycles, competitive tendering requirements, and the need for documentation that can be shared across departments without interpretation.
- 02
How we collect anthropometric data
During the on-site half-day, our consultants collect anthropometric measurements from up to thirty staff members. Each individual session takes approximately eight minutes, which means a full group of thirty can be measured without significantly disrupting the working day. We record the dimensions that actually determine seating fit: seated height, eye level, reach, and lower-limb proportion.
This data is then mapped against seating categories and adjustment ranges, not against specific brands. The result is a specification that describes exactly what a chair must do — seat-pan depth range, lumbar-adjustment travel, armrest width — rather than what it must be called. Your procurement team can tender competitively against that specification.
- 03
What the specification document covers
The final document includes a seating category specification with precise adjustment-range requirements, a desk-height specification per workstation type, and a monitor-arm specification where relevant. An accessory list covers footrests, lumbar supports, and document holders where the anthropometric data indicates a need.
For hybrid teams with up to fifteen remote workers, we include a home-workstation annex to the specification at no additional charge. This ensures that staff who split their week between office and home are not left with a well-specified office setup and an unaddressed home environment.
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Keeping procurement competitive and unbiased
By specifying functional requirements rather than brand names, we ensure your tendering process remains open. Suppliers bid against the same objective criteria, which typically produces better pricing and gives your procurement team a clear basis for evaluation. The specification is written in plain language that procurement officers, facilities managers, and contractors can all read without needing us to interpret it.
One revision round is included after your internal review. If the specification needs to be adjusted — because a budget constraint changes the desk-height tier, for example, or because a department has been added — we incorporate those changes within the engagement.
- 05
Proportion and fit: the underlying principle
Seating specification is not about finding the most expensive chair or the most adjustable one. It is about matching the range of adjustment a chair offers to the range of body dimensions present in your team. A chair with a wide adjustment range fitted to a team with a narrow anthropometric spread is over-specified; a chair with a narrow range fitted to a diverse team will leave some staff outside its useful envelope entirely.
Our process grounds every recommendation in that proportional logic. The deliverable is not a wish list — it is a calibrated document that tells your procurement team exactly what to look for, in terms precise enough to hold a supplier accountable.
- 06
Documentation ready for internal approval
The specification document is formatted for internal circulation: clear section headings, a summary table, and supporting rationale for each recommendation. It is designed to travel through an approval process — from facilities to HR to finance — without losing meaning at each stage.
Delivery follows within four business days of the on-site session. All data collected during the engagement is handled in accordance with our engagement agreement and applicable privacy legislation. The document belongs to your organization and can be used for tendering, insurance documentation support, or future procurement planning.
What the service includes
- Anthropometric data collection for up to 30 staff
- Seating category specification with adjustment-range requirements
- Desk-height and monitor-arm specification per workstation type
- Accessory list (footrests, lumbar supports, document holders)
- Procurement-ready specification document for tendering
- One revision round after client review
How an engagement unfolds
- 1
Discovery call
We begin with a 30-minute call to understand your organization's size, current challenges, timeline, and priorities. This shapes the scope and ensures we propose only what you actually need.
- 2
Scope and proposal
Within 3 business days we send a written proposal with a clear scope, deliverable list, timeline, and fixed fee. No hourly billing surprises.
- 3
On-site engagement
Our senior consultant arrives on the agreed date, conducts measurements, observations, and interviews, and photographs every relevant zone. Staff disruption is kept to a minimum.
- 4
Analysis and documentation
We analyse findings, produce annotated floor plans, specifications, and strategy documents, and apply a thorough internal review before sending anything to you.
- 5
Delivery and walkthrough
We present findings and recommendations in a structured walkthrough meeting — in person or by video — and answer questions from your team. One revision round is included.
Price
| Up to 15 staff | $2,200 |
|---|---|
| 16–30 staff | $3,400 |
| 31–60 staff | $5,600 |
| Additional revision round | $600 |
Gross prices are for guidance only. You will receive an exact quote before work begins.
Frequently asked questions
Do you recommend specific chair brands?
We specify functional requirements — seat-pan depth range, lumbar-adjustment travel, armrest width — rather than brand names. This keeps your procurement process competitive and unbiased.
What if some staff work from home part of the week?
We can include a home-workstation annex to the specification at no extra charge for hybrid teams of up to 15 remote workers.
How long does the anthropometric data collection take per person?
Approximately 8 minutes per person. For a group of 30, we complete the full collection in under half a day without disrupting the workday significantly.
