A flashy setup doesn’t mean a functional one.
Plenty of command centers look sharp—until you realize they’re more style than substance. When it comes to actually helping people work smarter, they fall flat. That’s because real performance in a mission critical environment doesn’t come from flashy hardware—it comes from smart planning, clear visibility, and well-integrated systems.
Whether you're overseeing a power grid, managing city-wide transit, running a military ops center, or monitoring financial systems, your command center design needs to align with how your team works—and how fast they need to respond.
Designing a control room is about more than placing screens and furniture. It’s about creating a space where technology, people, and process come together to deliver consistent, reliable performance—especially when the pressure’s on.
Let’s unpack the 10 proven ways to build a control room that supports your team, protects your operations, and delivers when it matters most.
Before you start talking about furniture or video walls, step back and ask some deep questions.
The discovery phase sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s the time to identify your operation’s unique requirements, understand regulatory and security standards, and look at how other organizations are solving similar challenges.
A command center designed without this step will always be reactive. One built on real insight? That’s proactive by design.
Once you know what’s at stake, your planning can get practical. That means mapping out traffic flow, equipment placement, cable routing, video walls, console furniture arrangement, station layout, and identifying where your control room can grow over time.
You're not just designing a space—you’re designing a process. Think about how your team collaborates.
We also look at technology integration.
This is the perfect time to assess how legacy systems and new tech can work together.
Too often, design prioritizes technology and then tries to retrofit it for humans later. That’s backwards.
Command centers can be stressful, high stakes environments, and long hours can wear operators down if the environment isn’t built to support them.
So, yes, ergonomics matter. Lighting matters. Being able to sit or stand, adjust screens, and avoid eye strain—all of that impacts how long people can stay focused and how well they perform.
Investing in operator comfort isn’t about being nice—it’s about sustained performance. Your team will be sharper, more alert, and better equipped to handle whatever the day (or night) throws at them.
Mission critical means time-sensitive. And when time is tight, too much information is a problem.
All displays should be tailored to support your specific use case. That might mean tracking real-time threats, monitoring infrastructure, or managing emergency calls. But no matter the mission, only the most relevant data should be front and center.
Clear, high-resolution visualization is key to making fast, confident calls and avoiding errors when it matters most.
A video wall is more than a centerpiece—it’s the central communication hub of the room. What you show, how it’s organized, and who can control it all affect how well your operators work together. Let’s think about these questions to deliver superior strategy:
A solid command center design answers all that upfront, so your technology supports your operations, not the other way around.
You don’t need a massive footprint to run a powerful control center. With the right tools in place—like compact video wall processors, scalable software platforms, and efficient layouts—you can pack a lot of capability into a modest space.
Partners like Barco specialize in flexible, modular systems that can handle everything from a single location to a global network of control centers. These systems are built with security, simplicity, and operational efficiency in mind—perfect for handling sensitive data and adapting to changing needs.
Whether you’re in energy, defense, healthcare, or finance, there’s a scalable solution that fits your space and supports your operations.
A well-planned layout helps your team stay focused and connected. Consider how visual access to the video wall affects collaboration.
Also, think about zones within your command center: where decisions get made, where data is analyzed, and where communication flows between teams. When your space is aligned with your workflow, everything just runs better.
These are key decisions that directly affect how productive your control room will be—not just today, but years down the road.
Too many tools? Too much clutter?
Welcome to chaos. The best control rooms are the ones that make complexity feel simple. That means designing interfaces and workflows that reduce noise and keep priority tasks front and center.
And whatever you do, don’t overload your operators with low-priority alerts. A clean, intuitive workspace leads to sharper decisions and fewer mistakes. When things go sideways, your team should know exactly what to do, where to look, and how to act.
Designing a mission critical environment is a specialized job. At Diversified, we’ve helped organizations in defense, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and beyond build command centers that are secure, reliable, and scalable.
We work closely with partners like Barco to ensure every installation delivers value—not just in day one performance, but in long-term adaptability and support. Our goal? To help your control center stay sharp, secure, and relevant over time.
Once your command center is live, the job’s not over. Updates, maintenance, and long-term support keep your investment running at peak performance.
You’ve spent time and resources building a space that keeps your operations safe and effective—don’t let a failed component or outdated system knock that down. A reliable managed services partner ensures you’re always up, always connected, and always in control.
Q: When we design our video wall, what should we keep in mind?
A: Size isn’t always the top priority. We advise the clients we work with to consider the type of content they need to display, the type of software interfaces that will be required, if a live video feed is a necessity and whether maps or tickers are vital to the operation. Finding the right fit is what’s most important, with an understanding that video walls can be configured to meet the needs of the mission.
Q: What should we look for when it comes to software for our control room?
A: Software that prioritizes efficiency is incredibly valuable for mission-critical operations, be it for military or civilian teams. Barco, a trusted Diversified partner, offers control room software platforms that deliver simplicity, security and scalability while creating a more efficient workflow for operators. When your team is called upon to make an effective and efficient response, it’s the appropriate software that helps make it easier for them.
Q: What is one of the more overlooked elements of control room design?
A: At Diversified, we’ve found that lighting and ergonomics rank toward the top of the most overlooked design elements for a command center. Operator comfort is vitally important to ensure that distractions are minimized and focus can be paid to the operation. Dimmable lighting coupled with flexible console furniture that allows operators to sit or stand are starting points.
Q: How do we determine command center layout?
A: Comfortable seating is important, but so is how the seats and computer stations are arranged. Some control rooms will require tiered seating to accommodate space while others may be situated in an arc — but regardless of the configuration, line of sight for the display of the video wall is critical.
Q: How does command center design facilitate collaboration?
A: The design of a command center is ultimately the key to how well operators and management collaborate. From video wall design to the use of an optimal software platform that addresses the unique requirements of your industry, the complete design package is what allows team members to prioritize and respond to critical events as they arise.
Want to learn more about Diversified and Barco’s partnership? Watch a brief video.
A command center is so much more than just a room full of screens. It’s a nerve center. A place where your organization sees, thinks, and acts. That’s why the right design matters. It affects everything from productivity to security, from risk mitigation to team morale.
At Diversified, we help clients design and build control rooms that help you do more than react—we help you lead, respond, and stay in front of the mission. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you with your next control room.