Workstream Owner Matrix
Assign one owner to each of the 14 workstreams so nothing is unowned. The fastest way to stop being the default owner of everything.
Workstream Owner Matrix
Fourteen workstreams can make or break an opening. This tool does one thing: makes sure each has a name next to it. Unowned work drifts back to you — this is how you stop that.
What it’s for
A single view of who owns what. It turns “someone should handle furniture” into “Sam owns furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E),” and gives you the slices to delegate. Pair it with the Open-Item Tracker, which you can group by the same workstreams.
How to use it
- Assign an owner to every workstream — even if the owner is you for now.
- Name a backup for the critical ones.
- Remember: owner = responsible for keeping it moving, not necessarily doing the work.
- Revisit weekly; reassign as people get overloaded.
The matrix
| # | Workstream | Typical owner | Owner | Backup | Status / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Control & Governance | Workplace lead / PM | |||
| 2 | Property Manager & Building Rules | Workplace lead / PM / facilities | |||
| 3 | Construction, Light TI & Punch | PM / GC / workplace lead | |||
| 4 | Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) | Workplace lead / dealer | |||
| 5 | IT, Network, AV & Conference Rooms | IT lead / AV vendor | |||
| 6 | Access Control, Security & Visitors | Workplace lead / IT-security / PM | |||
| 7 | Move Logistics | Workplace lead / mover | |||
| 8 | Kitchen, Pantry & Hospitality | Workplace lead / office manager | |||
| 9 | Office Supplies, Mail, Print & Storage | Workplace lead / office manager | |||
| 10 | Janitorial, Trash, Plants, Pest & Facilities | Workplace lead / PM / facilities | |||
| 11 | Employee Comms & Opening Experience | Workplace lead / People / comms | |||
| 12 | Finance, Procurement & Budget | Workplace lead / finance | |||
| 13 | Compliance, Insurance, Health & Safety | Workplace lead / People / legal / PM | |||
| 14 | Decommissioning & Old-Space Closeout | Workplace lead / mover / vendor |
Tip
If one person’s name is in most of the “Owner” cells, that’s a risk, not a plan. Spread ownership early — even to people who’ll “just keep an eye on it” — so no single point of failure (often you) holds the whole opening together.