LinkedIn Tracking

What is activity-based working?

May 25 2023

Boutique web images

Activity-based working (ABW) is a style of working that gives employees the chance to work from a variety of settings, depending on their specific needs. The idea behind it is that different environments are ideal for different tasks, and that people are most productive when they’re working in the perfect setting for what they’re doing.

A workplace geared for activity-based working might have distinct areas for quiet, focused work, collaborative tasks, group meetings, and more. Employees can move throughout these different areas at will, choosing the environment that’s the best fit for the work they’re doing at that moment.

ABW is essentially an employee-focused upgrade on the traditional style of working, where all workstations are identical and there’s no flexibility to choose a better-suited environment when the task calls for it.

The concept is nothing new – it was originally described by Robert Luchetti in the early 1980s and the term was properly coined by Erik Veldhoen in his 1994 book, The Demise of the Office. However, activity-based working didn’t gain traction in the mainstream until recently.

It has grown in popularity alongside flexible working practices. Where flexible working offers people flexibility in terms of where and when they do their work, ABW offers flexibility in how they do their work. 

The principles of activity-based working

Although there’s no formal consensus on what makes up an activity-based working approach, there are two main factors that constitute the basic ethos. 

Workplace design

The most important factor in adopting ABW in your company is whether your workplace is designed for it. A workplace suited to ABW should contain several different (and distinct!) settings, each one finetuned to be perfect for a specific ‘type’ of work. This might include standard desks, small and large meeting rooms, phone booths, furnished break-out spaces, cosy nooks, and informal coworking areas.

ABW offices should also use interior design and sensory design choices to set the tone in each of the different work settings. Signage is important in establishing the guidelines of each space, and furniture, music, and amenities can help to reinforce the message, acting as contextual cues that encourage different types of working behaviour.  

Working policies

Having distinct workspaces within an ABW office is one thing, but it’s all for nothing if nobody uses them. Creating, sharing, and exemplifying activity-based working policies is important in making sure that design efforts aren’t wasted. Most critically, these policies should set out when employees are free to choose their own work setting, and when they’re not.

Making the switch to an activity-based working approach from a regular office setup can be a big mental shift. Setting out the possibilities and procedures in a properly organised document can make this shift easier to navigate, for both management and employees.

Different activity-based working settings

Activity-based working works best when a diverse range of settings are available for employees to use. These can include:

Standard desks

Regular workstations still have their place in the office, and this is true in ABW workplaces, too. Standard desk rows can act as the default option for working, giving employees a base to move around from.

Coworking spaces

Whether it takes the form of a large open-plan setting or some stools at a countertop in the shared kitchen, a casual coworking space is great for employees who are working on simple tasks or filing the time between meetings.

Meeting rooms

Various types of meeting rooms, from small rooms with comfortable furniture to fully-equipped conference rooms, are an essential part of an ABW workplace. Along with being used for internal and external meetings, they can also act as quiet workspaces. 

Break-out spaces

A beanbag corner, armchairs in a cosy nook, or a dedicated ‘huddle space’ can all provide employees with informal spaces to discuss their work, brainstorm, or generally get creative.

Quiet zones

Areas designed specifically to facilitate high-focus work, with rules that limit noise, can offer the perfect setting for employees that need to get their head down and concentrate.

Home offices

Sometimes the best workspace is home, and sophisticated ABW policies recognise this by allowing employees to work from home when they think it’ll benefit their work.

The benefits of activity-based working

Productivity gains

study conducted by Harvard Business Review found that 34% of people think a lack of flexibility in their workday negatively affects their productivity. Respondents suggested that more agency to choose their working environments would help them to be more productive.

Boosted employee satisfaction

separate study found that 88% of employees value having the option to choose where and how they work based on the specific work they’re doing. Pivoting to ABW can help you attract and retain talent, and make sure that all of your employees are happy in their working style.

Future-proofing

As technology and the way we work continue to develop, adopting ABW puts you on the front foot. With an office designed to accommodate flexibility, and a forward-looking attitude, you’ll be better prepared to adapt to the next development in working styles. 

Switching to activity-based working

There’s a reason activity-based working is taking off. As we head towards a more flexible future in general, with hybrid working and flexible hours both gaining traction, ABW is the natural next step. 

If you’re keen to adopt an activity-based working approach for your company, your first task is making sure that you choose a workplace that accommodates it. 

Most of our workplaces are designed to facilitate activity-based working, with a mixture of business lounges, self-contained serviced offices, meeting rooms, break-out spaces, phone booths, and more. Browse The Boutique Collection today and find the perfect workplace for your company to embrace ABW in.

Related Posts

Boutique web images-2

Dec 06 2023

Everything you need to know about flexible office space

The move towards more flexible ways of working has been underway for some time, but the events of 2020 sped things up. Now, hybrid, remote, and flexible...

Read more
Boutique web images

May 02 2023

The benefits of a collaborative workspace

As our working habits become more flexible, the places we work in are changing too. The traditional office – leased privately by a single company and...

Read more
Boutique web images

Oct 30 2023

What is hot desking and is it right for you?

Hot desking is growing in popularity at rapid pace. But what exactly is it, and is it a good choice for your business? We’ve put together a guide to...

Read more
Google Tracking