Choose the outcome and constraints
Agree whether the goal is easier navigation, less travel, more usable space, or another specific outcome. Record access requirements, fixture limits, and areas that cannot change. Review relevant site requirements with the responsible team.
Compare a small set of alternatives
Keep the baseline and proposed layouts under the same demand and operating assumptions. Review each option for tradeoffs rather than reducing everything to one score. Include the effort and disruption required to implement it.
Test before a wider change
Have operators review feasibility, then trial the chosen layout in a limited scope. Measure the outcome with the same definition used for the baseline. Record what worked and what the model did not capture.