The Essential Guide To: Activity Based Working

We see it as an opportunity to boost employee productivity and innovation. Activity-based working recognizes that people perform better in differing environments. Therefore, removing physical work constraints, such as a desk and an office, provides greater flexibility for the employee. 

This concept flies in the face of workspace concepts of the 1980s and earlier, where employees were expected to remain at their desks from 9-5, Monday through Friday. As an employee, your physical environment defined your company status. The technological revolution has gone a long way in redefining the workplace and blurred the boundaries. One's office can now extend from home, in cafes, on planes, trains, and cars – wherever you are on the move.

This ultimately results in the workspace needs of employees being greatly expanded; since everyone won't be in the building at the same time. Individual employees may work mornings, while others may dip in to refuel, socialize, relax or even exercise. For your staff to thrive, your workspace needs to reflect these changing dynamics. 

 This post should be used as guide in your process in engineering a workspace that reflects the changing needs of your team, and caters to the individual needs and provides environments to boost employees’ morale, motivation, and productivity. 

PLANNING THE RE-DESIGN

Once the decision has been made to embrace activity-based working, a huge culture change will be taking place. Putting together a brief for staff and a subsequent action plan is key to proper execution. Our team can help you with this deployment plan. 

 Whether you're changing locations or staying put, what is your reason for the change?  Are there workflow issues, personal objectives, a need to better reflect your culture and vision or a desire to refresh your surroundings, work smarter, retain your best people and attract new talent? 

 Regardless of your reasons, you need to be able to convey them to staff and get them on board sooner than later. Once you get your team in the loop, they can advise areas for improvement and feel more empowered and receptive to change.  

SOME TIPS ON CREATING YOUR BRIEF 

With your team in place, it's time to start thinking about your new activity-based workspace brief and understand how to divide up the space. This chart summarizes some of the most common activities that make up a cohesive workplace.