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Open plan workspaces can be extremely productive and enjoyable. An open plan workspace consists of an open floor plan with all departments and individual offices separated from each other. Typically, this means that all departments and offices are located within the main office area so that every employee able to work in a specific department can sit at the same table and work on the same day-to-day operations of a business. In order to get the most from these workspaces, businesses must create a culture of communication, teamwork, and harmony within the work place.

 

The first step to creating open plan offices is to divide the office space into smaller cubicles, and then to break the large open plan office up into various small work stations. The smaller cubicles must have comfortable seating areas, and each worker should have their own personal computer. Computer desks or computers will also be required for employees who wish to work in a more organized fashion. Open plan desks are also useful when it comes to brainstorming or planning sessions in the office. Open plan desks allow everyone to see every piece of paper in one glance, which will greatly help the brainstorming sessions.

 

Another of the open plan office advantages is the creation of social spaces. Within the open spaces, employees are able to communicate with each other much easier than if they were sitting in a cubicle or even one with closed doors. Through collaboration, people are able to make more informed decisions, and share information that may otherwise be difficult to share within a professional environment.

 

Open plan workspaces encourage communication between supervisors and employees. In a smaller open office, communication between supervisors and employees can be easily established because there are no walls to separate the two. Because of this, employees are more likely to express their ideas and concerns, which can be very helpful when making business decisions.

 

Open plan workspaces are also conducive to collaborative spaces. A team that has access to several different workspaces is more likely to remain cohesive. In smaller workplaces, a team can easily become divided due to the presence of closed workspaces. However, teams remain cohesive when they have access to open plan offices. This allows for the team members to easily get to know one another. Furthermore, the open plan office provides easy communication, and the ability to bounce ideas off of one another.

 

In many cases, the best way to create the right collaborative work environment is to first determine what types of activities will take place in the space. Then you will want to create a floor plan based on those activities. For example, if most activities will take place at the coffee table, then the interior design for the space should incorporate a coffee table. If most activities will take place in an informal workspace, then you might consider a small table or similar item for more informal use.

 

Although the benefits of working in an open space’s office are great, it does come with certain drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks is having to walk through many rooms and hallways to reach the business school. However, if a group of students want to meet over coffee, then the collaborative spaces in a business school can usually accommodate small groups.

 

Open-plan office spaces provide a number of positive benefits, but there are some drawbacks that you may need to consider as well. Overall, the positive aspects of these workspaces are very valuable when it comes to increasing productivity and stress levels within the workforce. Also, if your company values creativity and open-mindedness, then you may want to consider improving the productivity and efficiency of your work place through the creation of open workspaces. For more information, contact us today!