If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it (L. Kevin). Measurement is fabulous! Unless you’re busy measuring what’s easy to measure as opposed to what’s important (S. Godin). It’s easy to stick to old habits and measure workspace like an office, in square meters or feet. Workspace is not a place. It’s a space where work-life happens; in the office, at home and elsewhere. So, it can’t be sized in physical spaces units.
Hybrid Working is a driver for Hybrid Workspace which requires Workspace Units to size it correctly.
There are multiple publications about the hybrid working and its rise to fame. Here’s our understanding in a nutshell:
Remote working is here to stay, so is the office. The hybrid model focuses on creating a workspace that works for the organisations, their people and their clients whilst preserving the company’s culture. In the hybrid model, it doesn’t matter where you are but what you do. Being part of an organisation, the employee goes to the office to meet colleagues, works remotely when the physical presence is not required and fulfils duties in the digital workspace where all tools and resources are accessible from anywhere. The hybrid model is composed of (1) a set of rules an organisation is going to adapt to balance remote and office work, usually that would be social contracts, HR policies and good practices or etiquettes (2) digital workspace composed of collaborative and audiovisual tools as well as in-office technologies supporting visibility and resources sharing and last but not least (3) physicals office spaces supporting creativity, collaboration and social interaction such as focus booths, break out areas and collaboration zones as well as the meeting room and desks but turned into shared resources.
More about this you can discover in our blog note about Hybrid Workspace.
What are measurement units? School Physics Flashback
On a daily basis, most people around the world are using units from the International System of Units (SI) defined as the second, metre, kilogram, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela are base units to measure time, length, mass etc. (except countries which are using other systems such as an imperial system of units i.e. the UK or customary system in US). Base units are used in various fundamental concepts. Velocity is a good example of how the base units build new units. Velocity which is the rate of change of object’s with respect to a frame of reference can be expressed in kilometres per hour. e.g. 50 km/h. One of the base units is forms Workspace Units: the time.
What are Workspace Units (WU)?
The Workspace Unit is the rate of activity with respect to the rate of change. Activities are not part of the SI system however is defined and measured correctly are a powerful way of rightsizing the workspace and adapting to the organisation’s financial goals. Holistica’s Insights Tool differentiates six types of work activities and uses smart algorithms to translate them into types of workspaces required.
Examples One: F2F WU
By knowing exactly how much ‘face to face’ activity (F2F) and types of those direct interactions Holistica’s Insights Tool can precisely define how many meeting rooms, break out areas or social hubs are needed. It allows organisations to learn what is the minimal amount of office spaces required.
Examples Two: CC WU
By pinning down types of Co-Creation (CC) activity data algorithms inside Insights Tool right size various types of collaboration spaces and technologies ensuring that the organisations have the right amounts of collaborative spaces and meetings rooms as well as technologies enabling collaboration between dispersed individuals. Cutting edge solutions such as audiovisual equipment and collaborative tools allowing work on documents, designs and projects in real-time. It’s important to emphasise that co-creation can be achieved without in-person interaction but bridging the gap caused by the distance is crucial. It is worth its effort due to cost-saving opportunities and increased chances for better wellbeing.
Examples Three F WU
By precisely identifying focus (F) activities needs across the organisation Insights Tool unlocks significant costs-saving opportunities subject to the organisation’s financial objectives. There are people who focus better at home and others are opposite. Holistica’s data analytics capability precisely defines the focus needs on individual, team and organisational level. This is done in the context of the particular organisation considering people’s personality, work responsibilities personal situation.
New World - New Measurements
As the world changed, the ways of capturing it evolve. Holistic Insights Tool measures and translates people’s needs into workspaces that work for the organisations and their people. As it doesn’t matter where you are but what you do.
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