Activity-based working (ABW) today
Activity-based working has reshaped the modern workplace. By providing diverse spaces tailored to specific tasks, ABW boosts productivity and collaboration. It replaces rigid desk design with flexible task-based environments, catering to a variety of personal work styles.
However, many organisations have implemented ABW with a focus on cost-cutting. Removing fixed desks and reducing the office footprint became the priority. This undermined the original intent, which was about empowering employees. Poorly executed ABW initiatives have led to frustration, disengagement, and a perceived lack of employee support.
As the nature of work evolves, so must ABW. It’s time to move beyond having a trendy label and embrace a model that considers the complexities of modern office work and the cognitive load on the human brains performing it.
The latest trends in activity-based working (ABW)
Today’s workplace is influenced by hybrid work, technological advances, and a greater focus on wellbeing. The newest ABW approaches must incorporate these elements:
- Hybrid integration: Modern ABW is based on balancing remote and in-office work. Workplaces must now cater to employees who enjoy a blend of the two work environments. This includes effective collaboration amongst a dispersed workforce as well as great places for focused work.
- Technology-enhanced spaces: Smart technologies, such as sensors and data analytics, help optimise space usage. Apps help employees find the right spaces for their tasks and optimise the time spent collaborating with colleagues. Artificial intelligence will soon bring enhanced benefits to employee task capacity and effectiveness.
- Wellbeing: There is growing recognition of how workplace design impacts mental health. Quiet zones, biophilic design and wellness features are becoming ABW essentials. Thoughtful design makes it easier for people to remain at peak performance levels throughout the day.
- Flexibility and personalisation: No two organisations are completely alike. Tailored ABW solutions are replacing one-size-fits-all approaches. These solutions incorporate organisational culture and brand identity.
These trends indicate the need for a fresh approach to activity-based working, one that prioritises employee optimisation and wellbeing as much as efficiency.
Activity-based working of tomorrow
Organisations must shift their perspective to seize the available benefits of activity-based working. The focus must be on human-centred design and a sustainable approach to the workplace.
- Start with culture, not space: ABW is more than desks, booths and meeting rooms. It’s about empowering your employees with genuine choice and fostering a culture of trust, innovation and collaboration. In today’s hybrid-working world, it can become all too easy for employees to narrow their span of known workplace colleagues. ABW work environments must enable the serendipitous integration of the wider workforce as well as provide for focused and project team-based working.
- Leverage data wisely: Use insights from occupancy and utilisation data to inform design, but don’t lose sight of individual needs. Data should enhance experiences, not dictate them. Support quantitative data with qualitative data, such as from focus groups, team leader discussions and employee forum sessions focused on workplace and employee effectiveness.
- Design for inclusion: ABW should consider neurodiversity, accessibility, and cultural diversity. Foster environments that make it easy for individuals to bring their best selves to work. Adopting inclusive design ensures everyone feels supported and recognised for who they are.
- Prioritise experimentation: Trial different spaces and concepts and gather employee feedback before full-scale implementation. An iterative design process builds better outcomes in the long run.
Moving forward requires recognising ABW as an evolving process, not a one-off project.
The often-forgotten element of ABW: People
Activity-based working often falters when organisations forget its primary purpose; supporting people to do their best work. Employees are the key to the success of any workplace, yet their voices are often ignored in ABW strategies.
Effective ABW starts by engaging employees early in the design process. Co-creation, workshops and feedback loops ensure solutions align with real needs. Leaders should also provide ongoing support, such as clear workplace principles and training, to help employees adapt to new ways of working.
Neglecting the human element leads to resistance and disengagement. ABW thrives when it’s designed for and with your people.
The link between cognitive load and ABW
Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information and complete tasks. In poorly designed ABW environments, cognitive load can soar.
For example, the constant search for a suitable workspace can be distracting for employees, draining their mental energy before the work even begins. Over-stimulating environments, like open-plan offices with excessive noise, can further increase cognitive strain.
Modern ABW must address these challenges. Providing clear navigation tools, quiet zones and easily adaptable spaces reduces the cognitive load. A workplace that supports focus, rather than hindering it, is crucial for productivity.
By aligning ABW with the principles of cognitive ergonomics, organisations can create environments where employees perform at their best. Take the time to study, evaluate and design environments and processes based on people and their cognitive abilities.
Conclusion
Activity-based working has been transformative for today’s workplace, but its potential remains untapped. By moving beyond the traditional model and focusing on hybrid integration, human-centred design, and cognitive support, organisations can achieve more productivity, engagement and talent retention. The key is prioritising people and adapting to the nuances of modern work.
When ABW evolves to meet these needs, it not only enhances productivity but also supports wellbeing, collaboration, and innovation. See ABW not as a trend but as an ongoing journey.
Activity-based working - the key points
- Activity-based working aims to create flexible, task-specific spaces but is often poorly implemented.
- Trends like hybrid work, technology, and wellbeing are shaping the future of ABW.
- Effective ABW starts with a culture that empowers people and uses data and insight wisely.
- Employee engagement and inclusivity are vital for successful ABW.
- Reducing cognitive load through thoughtful design boosts productivity.
Author: Brad Taylor
For more from Brad Taylor on Activity Based Working – see What Is Activity Based Working?
FAQs
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The latest trends in activity based working include hybrid integration, technology enhanced spaces, a focus on employee well being and flexibility for the employee.