4 ms·

Having intentional collaborative workspaces, while maintaining private space for concentration or just personal retreat, is optimal. Forced collaboration is sub

Having intentional collaborative workspaces, while maintaining private space for concentration or just personal retreat, is optimal. Forced collaboration is suboptimal.

gvjddbnvdrbv 6y ago
Private officies are perfect for collaboration. There is no need to schedule meeting rooms. Just talk in your office.
- ghaff 6y ago
  Yes. I worked at a company for many years that was offices (mostly for managers) and cubicles. Collaboration was fine. Culture was open door unless you specifically didn't want to be disturbed/overheard for some reason. I imagine it's different at other places but private office shouldn't be equated to private office with always shut door.
- 7thaccount 6y ago
  This. Scheduling meetings is a pain despite good Outlook tools, because they're always booked. A decent sized office would make this a non issue.
derefr 6y ago
You shouldn't have to retreat to personal space. You should retreat to collaborative space. If personal privacy is not the default, then social expectations will have you rarely able to take advantage of it.
- Vrondi 6y ago
  We do not have enough collaborative spaces to accommodate this, so we end up having crucial conversations and impromptu problem-solving meetings out in open space, wrecking the productivity of everyone else who is trying to meet a deadline.
erik_seaberg 6y ago
I want to concentrate for at least 3/4 of my working time, but 2006 was the last time I had semi-private space for it.
mrslave 6y ago
I see it less as forced collaboration and more as a vehicle for high frequency interruption, which is a core tool of what I call panic or chaos management. At most places I've been, team management and inter-team cooperation are both so poor that it's pure chaos. Every day there's panic - necessary or otherwise - and the fastest way to put out the current fire is to to storm across the floor and presume to interrupt everyone who might help. Open plan offices work to make this the norm rather than the exception. They're a cover for no improvement to organization or management.

Having intentional collaborative workspaces, while maintaining private space for concentration or just personal retreat, is optimal. Forced collaboration is suboptimal.

gvjddbnvdrbv 6y ago

Private officies are perfect for collaboration. There is no need to schedule meeting rooms. Just talk in your office.

ghaff 6y ago
Yes. I worked at a company for many years that was offices (mostly for managers) and cubicles. Collaboration was fine. Culture was open door unless you specifically didn't want to be disturbed/overheard for some reason. I imagine it's different at other places but private office shouldn't be equated to private office with always shut door.
7thaccount 6y ago
This. Scheduling meetings is a pain despite good Outlook tools, because they're always booked. A decent sized office would make this a non issue.

derefr 6y ago

You shouldn't have to retreat to personal space. You should retreat to collaborative space. If personal privacy is not the default, then social expectations will have you rarely able to take advantage of it.

Vrondi 6y ago
We do not have enough collaborative spaces to accommodate this, so we end up having crucial conversations and impromptu problem-solving meetings out in open space, wrecking the productivity of everyone else who is trying to meet a deadline.

erik_seaberg 6y ago

I want to concentrate for at least 3/4 of my working time, but 2006 was the last time I had semi-private space for it.

mrslave 6y ago

I see it less as forced collaboration and more as a vehicle for high frequency interruption, which is a core tool of what I call panic or chaos management. At most places I've been, team management and inter-team cooperation are both so poor that it's pure chaos. Every day there's panic - necessary or otherwise - and the fastest way to put out the current fire is to to storm across the floor and presume to interrupt everyone who might help. Open plan offices work to make this the norm rather than the exception. They're a cover for no improvement to organization or management.