Publications
Our mission is to help leaders capture the powerful opportunities that buildings offer: to proclaim their vision, strengthen their organization's culture, and enable each staff member’s success. We work hard to communicate these ideas to all our audiences
Books
Buildings Matter is a comprehensive discussion
of project planning and project 
management. It includes detailed chapters
on developing the business case, location and site analysis, space
use planning and architecture, and financial analysis.It
also includes a summary of the design and construction process, including
ideas about how to hire the right team.
"As a facility management practitioner, I have used Mr. Van Mell's ideas to further the goals of my corporation. I will continue to champion Buildings Matter as a critical executive reference for facilities decision-makers around the world." - Gary Broersma, CFM, Director of Global Facility Management, Covance Laboratories and Chair of the International Facility Management Association.
Just as his first book brought sanity to planning major building projects, Derrick's latest book Question-Based Planning is concise, constructive, and positive.
All the CEOs interviewed for Question-Based Planning are intensely frustrated with the jargon, cost, time requirement and general ineffectiveness of "strategic planning." But their key complaint is about the MBA facilitators: "We don't want them to tell us what to do; we just want them to ask us good questions." Question-Based Planning (QBP) asks good questions in plain English in a systematic way. It's completed in five 2-hour meetings over five weeks and ends in a 1-page plan. It includes monthly progress reviews and annual updates. it transforms planning from a frustrating, contentious exercise into a productive, positive and effective act of leadership.
Articles
What
is a Facility Plan?
To
Build is to Lead
The
Tour Tells the Story
Corporate
Facilities Planning Questions
Site
Selection
Systematic
Plant Layout
Office
Design and Productivity
Lease
vs. Own
Operating
Gains from Facility Planning
Why ask questions?
Speaking
Derrick Van Mell speaks at public and professional
events about the leadership opportunities of buildings
for business. His 30- to 60-minute presentations
reflect the issues in the book, but are always tailored
to the audience. Derrick has spoken all over the world:
- IFMA: Singapore, Sweden, Austria, and all over the United States
- University of Wisconsin School of Business as Guest Lecturer
- Wisconsin Healthcare and Education Facilities Authority
- Dozens of professional associations and public and private organizations
- Question-Based Planning
Radio podcasts
WTDY On Air with In Business
Dec 17 2007
Jun 06 2008