Overall Liking Score (OLS)

Basics

What is it?
An occupant survey method that measures how people feel about their work environment. It consists of the OLS occupant survey, the OLS fingerprint and a report with analysis of results and recommendations.

Useful where?
Evaluating the performance of an occupied building to better understand occupant needs. It can be helpful when considering refurbishment or relocation options as well as providing before and after benchmarks to measure improvements.

What else does it do?
Identifies simple low cost improvement solutions and can inform a long term plan of action which addresses the survey findings.

Related activities
Other occupant survey techniques in the Portfolio. Also used in conjunction with the Continuous Commissioning service of ABS Consulting.

In what sectors?
Workplace buildings - particularly offices, educational facilities and healthcare institutions.

Relevance
A diagnostic survey technique.

Development status

Who developed it?
Initiated by Professor Dr Levermore at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and developed further by ABS consulting. See references. It formed the user satisfaction part of the Continuous Commissioning process which was developed in a 2000 PII scheme by ABS.

Stage of development
Mature. It has been in use since 1992. ABS consulting has used it to evaluate over 100 buildings.

Examples of its use
OLS is often used as a starting point for the Continuous Commissioning process. See links and PDFs for case studies.

Further development happening?
Yes, evolutionary.

Development contacts
ABS.

How it works

Brief description
It is an occupant perception survey carried out using a questionnaire. The questions cover important aspects of the work environment and ask occupants how much they like and how important they find each particular aspect. The questionnaire comprises 45 core questions and, to some extent it can be customised to meet the particular needs of the client. Each question is on a 7 point 'Liking' rating scale ranging from -3 to +3 and a 7 point 'ImportanceÕ scale ranging from 1 to 7. The Overall Liking Score for each question (i.e. aspect of work environment) is the product of likeness rating and importance, normalised to a range of plus or minus 100%. The results are illustrated graphically by the OLS fingerprint.

Is there software?
Yes, but not for general distribution. Undertakes analysis and presents results. Survey completed via the internet but a paper version is available if required.

How long does it take?
The survey takes 10-12 minutes for each occupant to fill in and the analysis is rapid using an automated spreadsheet. However it is worth setting aside a maximum of six weeks in which to carry out and complete an occupancy evaluation. This period includesCan I do it myself?
Yes, but maximum value is derived when the process is supported by consultants. Normally the process is delivered by ABS.

Can someone else do it for me?
Yes, ABS or UMIST.

User comments
“A useful diagnostic”- UNIVERSITY OF SURREY.

References
G J Levermore, Occupants' assessments of indoor environments: Questionnaire and rating score method, Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 15(2), 113-118 (1994).

Is the technique in the public domain?
An example questionnaire is available (see links).

Are the methods open to inspection with technical support papers?
Yes. Papers by Levermore and Ure.

Cost
Depends on number of respondents and specific client requirements. More information can be obtained from ABS.

Are the results in the public domain?
The method is mostly used commercially by ABS, so results are not normally published. Case study publications are available online. See links and PDFs.

Are there stable benchmarks?
Based on 100 or so buildings.

Organisations offering
ABS Consulting,
Contact name: Jim Ure.

UMIST, Contact name: Dr Geoff Levermore, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering.
geoff.levermore@manchester.ac.uk