What Makes a Workspace Agile?

The agile methodology has cropped up in a variety of business use cases, from the way projects are managed to the way leaders manage entire organizations. Now, we’re seeing the same methodologies being applied to workspaces in how they look and function.

There’s no doubt that the nature of the work we do today has drastically shifted from how work was performed 20+ years ago. But aside from the work we do, there’s also been a noticeable change in what workers and leaders need and expect from the office environment. 

It’s no matter a case of having bodies in seats during business hours, but rather how employees are using the workday to complete tasks and achieve goals. In response, many companies are exploring ways to reinvent the office layout in a way that supports efficiency, productivity, and collaboration, no matter the type of work being done or its stage of completion. 

One potential solution: applying agile theories to office functionality.

What is the Goal of an Agile Workspace?

In its most basic form, agile seeks to allow progress to happen without obsessing over perfection. It focuses on shorter “sprints” rather than long, drawn-out processes that are susceptible to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. 

When applied to the office, agile’s goal becomes to utilize the space in a way that supports the way people work, not the other way around. It fosters collaboration and productivity by limiting the confines of a traditional office and allows work to become an activity rather than a place you go to.

How Should the Agile Office Look and Function?

Most agile offices share a few common visual characteristics:

• Open office floor plan: cubicles are replaced by shared workspaces to allow for more natural light and easy collaboration.
• Quiet zones: areas are usually closed off from others to maximize concentration and allow for private conversations.
• Breakout spaces: these are multipurpose spaces designed for team brainstorms and meetings. 
• Touchdown areas: temporary spaces designed for overflow workers, workers who aren’t in the office full time, or anyone who needs to knock out a quick task or email.
• Shared resources: office resources like printers, files, and equipment should be easily accessible to all workers in a way that limits the intrusion of others’ space.

Aside from the visual layout, agile workspaces are designed to foster greater collaboration and creativity without sacrificing privacy when it’s needed. It’s about finding the right balance to all working styles and needs so that employees can do their best work, regardless of the project they’re working on.

How Coworking is Giving Life to the Agile Workspace

By design, coworking spaces like Office Evolution mimic the agile office in terms of the variety of available spaces, furniture, and functionality. Our facilities blend private workspaces, touchdown points, conference rooms for breakout sessions, collaboration areas, and even virtual offices for remote workers to empower workers whatever their needs. 

As an added bonus, we’re helping companies take advantage of the agile office without having to reinvent the wheel in your own facility. This enables real agility for companies who wish to explore the benefits of an agile office without the guesswork. 

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Find the Office Evolution location nearest you and discover the benefits an agile workplace can bring to your organization!