Cubicles Are Anti-Collaboration And Is a Bad Social Design

Not sure you have heard about the concept of “social design”, which generally refers to interactions between the modern knowledge workers can support and stimulate innovation and  productivityl. It is almost universally accepted the linkage between interaction and creativity, research  explains a great deal about why there is a tremendous difference between interacting face to face and all other forms of interaction.  In 1987, Morgan Stanley economist Stephen Roach identifi ed a phenomenon he labeled “the productivity paradox.”. What he discovered was that although American companies spent trillions of dollars on information technology in the 70s and 80s, the productivity of those workers had not improved much. Productivity improvements are the fundamental reason for these IT investment, this research calls into question the IT strategy of nearly every larger organization. I think many of us has come to a point where technology is making us less productive. Think of how many emails coming in your mailbox and how often your browser distract at work. I think people were kind of feeling guilty 5-7 years back when they are browsing at work, today people just open their browsers and IM windws while trying to focus on work.

In late 90s, a team of HP employees were given the assignment of creating their own high
performance work space. Lots of freedom were given to them. All of HP’s engineers, programmers,  business analysts, and project managers were mixed together in the space that had proven tremendously effective at promoting interaction and high productivity. Given the need to reduce time to market and the complexity of the products, these people needed to work together in a different way. The result was a profound change in the way the team worked. Sharing of ideas and information increased dramatically, while the time it took to bring new project team members up to speed was reduced. Put the right people together so they collaborate creatively and intensively, and they can do wonderful things.

Open office has big proven benefits in our business where innovation and collaboration are our everyday work. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital and this can only happen in share space. Cubicles is anti-collaboration and so is private offices. We are a big believer in open workspace and it forges a culture of openess. The reasons for people to go to work has changed. It is not about producing a document which you can do that at home, they go to work to meet, to collaborate, to brainstorm, to share, to debate and not doing work in a traditional sense.  Simply put, cubicles are anti-collaboration.

Long before corporations became interested in creativity and collaboration and started learning how to promote it in the workplace--Mother Nature managed creativity through the process of biological evolution. An understanding of evolution won't help companies boosting creativity and collaboration, it does help them manage the unplanned.  The question is what is the best plan to plan for the unplanned?

Comments

[chris b]

I agree. 'Open plan' is important, but it is not the be all and end all. The spatial configuration of spaces/buildings/cities plays a large role in fostering co-presence, interaction and ultimately the processes of knowledge creation and transformation which are at the heart of creativity and innovation.

The configuration of space needs to be a part of the critical design recipe when considering how to develop spaces for creativity - e.g. 'knowledge cities', 'buiness or research parks', as well as normal office spaces.

Space Syntax research has a lot to say about this - you should check it out if you are interested.

[Tom Altman]

I love it all too - but it also depends on the people and the culture. People have to want to "play".

[Ashely Shill]

Play is the right word. Work needs to promote play....and creativity can only happen during play.

[Adam (from Idea Couture)]

The benefits of the open environment that we've been enjoying at Idea Couture are astounding.

The collaborative spirit runs deep, and fuels the abundance of creative tasks that we face each day.

The inspirations drawn from working closely with the talented people in our lair keep the mood fresh and exciting. Whether it be humor, intensity, focus, or playfulness, we operate as a dynamic and organic entity.

Idris, if I can make one request, please stop blaring heavy metal from your desk at 8am. Even I have my limits.

:) LOL

[Andre Galhardo]

Open offices are great - companies are sharing space to create this "social energy" and spark collaboration.
And interesting report by PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2008/04/a-deeper-look-at-co-working.html

[Alan McKay]

People from one company sharing space is great. People from different companies sharing space is even better. Companies should be more fluid these days and physical office space is less important than the virtual ones. Unfortunately no one cracks that eyey. BTW This is a great blog and I follow it every day..not only me and a few others in our company too.

[Richard Meshigaud]

I have been following your blog for 3 months and your company too, it is so exciting. I wish you will come to India one day and set up an INDIAN COUTURE as we would love to work for a company like yours.

Great insights from your blog. We all read it everyday.

[Andy Green]

I've been in work environments where team members in neighboring cubes were IMing each other rather than poking their heard over the cube walls. We've lost some productivity in hiding behind the technology rather than using IM and email messaging appropriately. Sure, a lot of our communication is asynchronous, in that I'm not looking for a reply. When I need to notify you about a fact, a reminder, etc., email usage makes sense. If I need to dialogue, I should grab a meeting room to bring together co-workers in my office and conference in those working remotely.

Office spaces that encourage creativity and collaboration with lots of meeting places in non-traditional areas-- near the cafeteria, the espresso bar--sends a strong message to employees: people are important.