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1. Even though your contractor may tell you that the building will be ready for occupancy on a certain date, and may even be held to that date by the contract, there will always be items that remain to be finished. These items are usually referred to as a "punch list" and can be simple things like switch plate covers, molding, ceiling and floor tiles. They can also be pretty major things like restroom partitions, doors, carpet. The amount of time it takes to complete the punch list will depend on the actual list, the costs involved and the perseverance of your construction manager. Most people can and do work in a new building during the final punch list phase, but their working conditions can and will be disrupted during this period. This means that you will not achieve the same level of work that you are used to and this can lead to stress and anxiety.

2. Even though the building may be finished, there may be items that are beyond the scope of your contractor that will greatly affect when you can work productively in the new building. Such items such as telephone lines, perhaps a new telephone system, computer network hook-ups, special furniture such as student desks, audio visual equipment, whatever you usually use to get your job done. Make sure that someone is taking care of these tasks for you. All of these items need to go on a planning schedule, just like the regular construction schedule.

Can you afford to hire professional movers to pack up everyone's files, lift them onto dollies and haul them to the new facility or will you expect that the staff and volunteers will do this?

Are you just moving in the behind the scenes staff or are you also trying to program the new education center, open some new exhibits and get it ready in time for a big opening event? Can you afford to move in slowly and take your time to get used to your new surroundings before finalizing your program plans?

In short, moving is disruptive, not just physically but psychologically. It will force you to revisit almost all of your current operations. My advice to you is to acknowledge this and plan for some down time. Also begin to prepare yourself and your staff for this disruption. Moving into a new building will bring up new organizational issue for you to tackle. For instance, if you and your entire staff have all be together in one building, you will have to develop new ways of keeping communications open if half of you move into a new building. You, then also need to deal with the issues of those who were "left behind" in the old building.

So if you have not done so already, meet with all the players involved in your project, your staff, your volunteers, major contractors, and talk through everything that has to happen between now and your opening. Determine what are the critical dates that must be met (an opening gala, a press reception, programming for the school year) Write up a list of action items and put dates to them, working back from your critical dates. Meet regularly with the major players to update this action list, making adjustments. Keep everyone informed and updated on progress and schedule changes.