> Executives believe that an environment without cubicles fosters collaboration, innovation and creativity. Research has backed up some of these claims.
Pretty much all the research I've read into this actually says the exact opposite.
Pretty much all the research I've read into this actually says the exact opposite.
Of course, what's missing from that result is all the data saying that open offices also lower productivity, increase distraction frequency, raise stress, and increase sick leave.
Notably, the good results are indirect benefits of open offices, while the downsides are mostly direct. There have been efforts to derive those benefits without actually using open plans - for instance by adopting radial building designs and centralizing shared spaces (conference rooms, cafeterias, etc). That lets you increase 'hallway collaboration' without actually bothering people while they try to work.
Verbal communication is unrecorded communication. Unrecorded communication is communication which must be repeated to any stakeholder who wasn't present. Repetition is inefficient.
Of course, sometimes that's unavoidable. Employees aren't perfect readers and writers - some people have difficulty expressing themselves in prose, others don't have the ability to quickly parse dozens of pages of written communication to pull out the snippets which are personally relevant, and practically speaking they can't all be replaced overnight. Sometimes, emotional appeals need to be privately, unrecorded.
But the long-term benefits of prefer-written communication are so incredibly high. New employees on-board faster and less disruptively. Employees can work from home, commute less, and procure higher-quality housing in less-expensive areas as a result, making them happier with a higher discretionary income.
We were given noise cancelling headphones, but they don't block the visually distractions that come from having no backboard and seeing 30 other desks in front of you.
It may help for people who don't need to concentrate, but I need to get lost in code for some hours to be productive and hit the deadlines.
Interestingly, the problem seems to come from the inconsistency in verbal/visual in an open workspace. Silence and stillness for 10 minutes, then some interruption.
Constant chaos (busy coffee shop, cafeteria, etc) is much easier for me to ignore.