Creating the Right Setting for Effective Collaboration The “if we build it they will come” model of providing collaboration spaces for employees rarely works. Workplace experts will tell you that too many areas – perhaps millions of square feet – provided for collaborative work are empty much of the time. That’s [...]
Case Study One financial institution had been struggling with complaints from its employees all across campus, specifically with the need for more collaboration space. The real-estate and facilities groups were constantly hearing that no conference rooms were available when needed. By observing current meeting spaces carefully, however, the company discovered that [...]
Planning Considerations Planning considerations involve how the space relates to its context. As you prepare to make decisions about what to build, how big the space should be, and where to put it, consider: Location. Is the space intended to draw people to it, like a café or training room? Can [...]
Provisioning Considerations Provisioning considerations have to do with what needs to be in the space. As you think about how to outfit the space with furniture, technology, white boards, and other equipment, consider: Range of postures. Based on the nature or range of activities the space will support, which postures should [...]
Use Considerations Use considerations address how the space will be managed over time. Adaptability to other users/uses. Is there a need for the space to be used in different ways? How frequently will it need to be reconfigured? How will reconfigurations influence technology placement and other features? Technology changes. How quickly [...]
Collaboration in the Future Experts all agree that our world is only getting more complex and the need to put our heads together to solve difficult problems will become more and more pronounced. The disagreement comes in what forms collaboration will take. Those who embrace technology believe that the workplace of [...]
A Tour of Potential Collaborative Spaces Though not an exhaustive list of possible collaborative spaces, these examples demonstrate how different spaces can support various situations. Commons Areas. The community area, cafeteria, or “commons” area for many companies can be the central gathering place of the organization and often can promote [...]
