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> The ability for an open office to foster pair-programming and intense collaboration was a real benefit, though it certainly doesn't suit everyone. How much o
by SomeOldThrow 7y ago
> The ability for an open office to foster pair-programming and intense collaboration was a real benefit, though it certainly doesn't suit everyone.
How much of your day do you spend in intense collaboration?
- kerkeslager 7y agoI've been at companies where I spent perhaps 7 out of 8 hour in a day pair programming, and it was the most productive I've ever been. As the parent comment said, it's not for everyone. Nothing is for everyone--there are many different work styles.
- martinpw 7y agoThat sounds like a great argument against open offices. I could not handle sitting near two people pair programming the whole day. If they went to a private office to do it that would seem ideal.
- kerkeslager 7y ago> That sounds like a great argument against open offices. I could not handle sitting near two people pair programming the whole day. If they went to a private office to do it that would seem ideal. I don't understand. You can't handle working in an open office, so your solution is to force people who work well in an open office to work in a private office? Why can't you go work in a private office if that works well for you, and let people who work well in open offices work in open offices?
- no_wave 7y agoExpecting your neighbor to be ok with two people talking to each other for 7 hours straight is just plain rude regardless of your office preference.
- kerkeslager 7y agoPlease read the post you are responding to.
- martinpw 7y agono_wave's reply is exactly on point. You don't need the open office to pair program, you just need to be with one other person. So go to an office, because otherwise you are disturbing everyone else in the room with your pair programming if you are going to be talking 7 hours straight. In an open office that is plain rude and selfish. And by the way I would love to work in a private office, but that is not an option. So everyone needs to compromise, and that includes not pair programming and talking all day out of respect for your co-workers.
- kerkeslager 7y agoAgain, please read the posts you are responding to. You're not reading my posts. I'm not your enemy here. You're just taking your anger at other people out on me. If you would read my posts, you would see that what I'm proposing is a mixed office space with open areas for those who work best that way (like me), and private areas for people who work best that way (like you). 1. I'm definitely for you having your own, private office if that's how you work best. 2. An open office with enforced silence is the worst of both worlds. The extroverts can't work effectively because they can't collaborate, and it's really never quite quiet enough for the introverts. This kind of "compromise" means nobody is happy. 3. Being in the open office isn't just about talking with your pair, it's about being able to collaborate with people outside your pair too.
- martinpw 7y agoI think I am reading your posts - we are just focusing on different aspects. I agree with your ideal - that indeed would be a nice place to be. My concern is more around the reality for most people which is that everyone is in an open office environment. How do you propose to handle that situation assuming no offices are available? Would you still pair program and talk all day? Would you at least first ask your neighbors if they are ok with that? And what would you do if they said no?
- AlphaSite 7y agoAlso even if you are collaborating, do you really want to disturb others?