Where Should I Sit? Using Network Analysis to Guide the Office Seating Plan

My friends at Optimice recently used Organization Network Analysis to help a property developer and their client, a telecom company, to optimize the physical space that hosts 5,000 employees. They used the diagnostic to identify the most critical relationships and then aligned that with their vision for the future way of working.

Real estate management meets talent management 2020.

"Cohesive, co-located teams can deepen capabilities and enhance efficiency. Productivity however, is not just about efficiency. We know that a certain level of diversity of connections is needed to facilitate creativity and to deliver innovation. Such connections may not require extended co-location but will require an environment where serendipitous connections are more likely."

In addition to having teams located closer together, planning should include space that facilitates spontaneous interaction among members of different teams. I have seen some creative designs of central gathering and meeting spaces that look very inviting. I have also seen a few grim, soul-destroying environments.

Your Office Design Is Killing Teamwork. Is your closed door killing your creativity? Is your cubicle squashing your ability to communicate?

21 Inspirational Collaborative Workspaces. Office spaces examples from a variety of companies