Standing Room Only!
Standing room only! Tuesday is the most popular day for hybrid workers to attend the office – but it is creating a chaotic environment and putting pressure on the available space in many organisations. It’s important for leaders to address these challenges and find ways to manage the situation effectively.
Understanding who needs to collaborate with whom can help optimise space allocation and scheduling to enhance productivity and teamwork. Here are some approaches we use to determine collaboration needs:
Building and Network Usage
Offices on a Friday are largely empty. Levelling usage out takes careful planning around what each team needs to accomplish and when they can make the most of in-person work. We look at the workflows of the organisation as a whole and use building and network usage data to create a solution.
Project Management Tools
We utilise project management tools that capture collaboration patterns. These tools often have features to assign tasks, track progress, and document interactions. Analysing the collaboration data from these tools and others such as Teams or booking systems, can help identify key collaborators and the intensity of their collaboration.
Employee Surveys
We conduct surveys or questionnaires that specifically ask employees about their collaboration requirements. Inquire about the frequency and nature of their collaboration needs, such as team projects, cross-departmental collaborations, or client interactions. This data can provide insights into the teams or individuals that require closer proximity for effective collaboration.
Team Interviews
We arrange meetings with different teams or departments to discuss their collaboration needs. Understand the nature of their work, the frequency of collaboration, and the challenges they face when collaborating. This information can assist in identifying potential dependencies and facilitate the creation of a collaborative workspace.
Observations and Shadowing
We observe teams or individuals at work to gain insights into their collaboration dynamics. Shadowing employees during their work activities can provide a first-hand understanding of their collaboration needs, communication patterns, and preferred work styles.
Cross-Departmental Meetings
Why not organise cross-departmental or interdisciplinary meetings to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing? This forum allows employees to interact with colleagues from different teams, fostering a better understanding of interdependencies and potential collaboration opportunities.
By combining these approaches, you can gather comprehensive data on collaboration needs within your organization. This information can then be used to inform decisions regarding workspace allocation, seating arrangements, and scheduling to optimize collaboration and enhance productivity among employees.
Remember, the specific approach will vary depending on the organization’s size, culture and industry. It’s essential to assess the situation, gather feedback and tailor the solutions to meet the unique needs of your workplace.
We can help you avoid standing room only!
