Using Activity-Based Working to Improve Office Productivity

Activity-based working is challenging the traditional workplace dynamic.

The traditional workplace model, generally sees employees working from the same office and desk, day in and day out.

Activity-based working puts a new spin on the office dynamic. Employees are not confined to a particular office or desk and are free to work from any available work station in the workplace.

This bold workplace model is becoming increasingly popular in workplaces around the world. It offers a number of benefits, which are having benefits on both employees and companies.

Activity-based working shakes the office dynamic at it’s core, resulting in numerous benefits.

Here are a few key benefits of Activity-based working:

Antidote to the ‘silo effect’

When an organization separates into departments or teams, there is often a disconnect; less communication, and as a result of this, productivity takes a hit.

In a workplace study, 86% of executives polled, believed bad communication or a lack of collaboration is the cause of team failures.

39% of employees who took part in the poll, believe there isn’t enough team collaboration in the workplace.

Activity-based working, breaks down these walls between teams and departments, increasing overall communication and team collaboration. As employees are not confined into departments, collaboration between teams comes naturally.

Increased Creativity

Activity-based working increases creativity, without question.

If you have ever worked in a cubicle, you would know how complacent you can become, how bored and dull your mind can get. Cobwebs set in. Activity-based working pulls you out of your comfort zone, allowing for a more curious and less stagnant mind.

People are Working Together in New Ways

Traditional working environments tend towards the development of team habits, over time what works well enough becomes solidified in a process. We are creatures of habit, so this is something we always need to be aware of, and as industry and technology is constantly evolving, so should the way we work.

A Change of Scene

Another benefit of Activity-based working is the changing environment. Naturally, people are working together in different ways, in changing work spaces with people collaborating with those they otherwise may not have collaborated with in the traditional workplace model.

Inspiring Environments

Our work environments have a strong impact on our mental well-being, as well as impacting overall productivity. The potential in creating deeply inspiring environments to boost creativity and morale is vast.

Here are a few inspiring ideas that can be implemented into an Activity-based workplace

Outdoor Work Spaces

The sunlight, the fresh air and green plants, invigorate us; fueling our creativity. Incorporating these spaces into the overall design, will help in creating peaceful spaces, where innovation can flourish.

Outdoor work spaces can also serve as rest areas, allowing for employees to recharge and clear their mind, to better concentrate on the tasks at hand.

Quiet Rooms

In the open office model, as conducive to improved teamwork as it is, it can often be difficult to focus. Providing quiet rooms, allowing for private working places, offers somewhere to focus and buckle down.

When things become too busy and chaotic, having quiet rooms is a much needed retreat, where employees can focus on their work without any distractions.

Tips For Implementing Activity-Based Working

Get The Opinion of Employees and Executives

With such a big change to the office dynamic, it’s important to make sure everyone is on board. Hold a meeting, devoted to discussing the proposed changes with all staff members. By doing this, you are also getting others valuable input into some ideas to consider while planning the changes.

Research and Plan

The decision to switch from a traditional office model to an Activity-based workplace model is not to be taken lightly. It’s a drastic shift in the workplace dynamic and requires thorough research and thoughtful planning.

By studying the methods other organisations have used in integrating Activity-based working, you will gain you some real word examples, in which you can draw inspiration from and spot any potential pitfalls.

A detailed plan should be drawn out, including the main objective to shifting to Activity-based working, listing out all resources and workplaces which will be necessary for success.

Any potential problems that may arise, should be brought to attention. For each potential issue, a number of solutions to those problems should be considered.

Provide Necessary Resources and Work Spaces

It’s important that employees have the necessary resources and workplaces available. Easy access to printers, photocopiers & fax machines, board rooms, whiteboards or any other relevant resources to your industry, will ensure day to day operations run smoothly.

There should also be more than enough work spaces to cover each employee. Workspaces need to account for a range of employees, accommodation for varying physical differences (tall, short, left handed, right handed, overweight, etc), as well as providing suitable work spaces to suit a varying range of tasks.

Daniel Calvin is on a mission to help businesses increase productivity and do so in a way that benefits everyone in the organization. He is the community relations manager for Number1 Office Machines.

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