PremierAgile

The business definition of Agile has truly evolved over the years. Back in the days, Agile had a specific meaning, that is – a set of radical practices for software development so that objectives could be obtained efficiently & faster. But, nowadays, the concept has evolved to include additional ideas of flexibility regarding the approach that we take to complete all kinds of work. The term ‘Agile’ can also be defined to describe dynamic & new office environments. 

Hence, an Agile work environment replaces the concept of a traditional office with multipurpose shared spaces that help in giving employees the freedom to work when & wherever they want. 

In the current day & age, Agile workplace designs have become the de-facto rule for creating an office environment that enhances productivity among employees. Comfortable & happy employees will always be productive and employees who tend to love their workplaces will always want to continue working, stay motivated and produce the results the company needs. That's why an Agile workplace is for most budding & successful organizations out there.

What do you mean by an Agile work environment?

An Agile work environment is defined as a workplace that helps in accommodating the ever-changing needs of the employees. For instance, a single workplace can serve the needs for ten different purposes, at ten different moments for ten different groups of employees. Thus, the ability to quickly move in & out of the workplace is what makes the working environment Agile. 

A true Agile work environment will also give employees the means to stay productive all the time so that they always stay focused and don't miss what's happening around them. Such is the reason why it's essential to implement an Agile workplace. 

The elements of an Agile work environment

When you work in an Agile manner, you have to let go of the typical office environment and thereby adopt a different mindset for the same. The work that you and your employees will be doing will be viewed as a dynamic set of activities, instead of just working in a permanent location. Then you have to make sure that you have the necessary regulations, space, and technology to back up your new method of working.

Thus, the following are some of the major elements of being in an Agile work environment:

• A proper balance of personal, calm, and collaborative working space.
• A workplace design that can be easily altered according to the way the staff changes.
• Providing employees with the freedom to work from where they want, so that they can be the most productive.
• Technology that helps employees stay connected to the locations, people, and resources they need in the workplace. 

Benefits of an Agile work environment

• Better collaboration

The ability or the freedom to move around the office space will help in bringing employees together. Since work will not be restricted to a fixed location such as a desk or cubicle, ideas can be easily shared among employees.

• Helps in employee retention

When it comes to work, most millennials prefer flexibility more than the salary they earn. Thus, by implementing an Agile work environment, you’re providing flexibility to your current as well as future employees, leading to better employee retention in the long run.

• Enhanced space efficiency

Moving to an Agile work environment will help you to fully optimize your office space so that no area gets wasted and is utilized fully. 

• Better productivity

There's no doubt that a distracting environment can have a massive impact on the productivity of an employee. However, with the help of an Agile workplace, distractions can be lowered to a minimum, so that your employees can be more efficient at their workflow. 

The types of Agile work environments

It should be known that an Agile workplace has no single shape or form that it can take. However, an Agile workplace must include multiple shared spaces through which employees can move freely, which can suit their comfort levels & preferences. Agile workplaces are also designed for collaboration as well as solo activity for employees. 

The following are some of the popular Agile work environments:

• Open-plan spaces

An open area encourages collaboration among employees. This type of environment is extremely essential for creative teams who are working on projects that tend to require a lot of sharing of work/ideas along with collaboration. 

• Quiet spaces

A quiet zone is an area of the Agile work environment that’s made to promote concentration & privacy for each employee. As a result, such spaces may include sound-isolating booths, where employees can work on important matters without one distracting the other. It can also act as a space where each employee can recollect their thoughts and potentially reduce their work-life stress. Additionally, quiet spaces can also act as areas where employees can disconnect themselves from the distraction & noise of the rest of the workplace. 

• Breakout spaces

Otherwise known as ‘informal spaces’ inside an Agile work environment, breakout spaces are areas where employees can visit to relax, have a general conversation with other employees or have something to eat before you attend to their work again. 

Breakout spaces can also act as a functional area to carry out laid-back meetings with customers/clients/management or have employee brainstorming sessions. 

• Resources spaces

This is an area of the Agile workplace where it's dedicated to the various tools that employees need on a day-to-day basis. Some of the essential items include office supplies, printers, recycling bins, scanners, and so on. This area of the office also tends to be the nosiest. However, it should be known that even though resources should be easy to reach, they shouldn't be too near to the actual workspaces because disturbances could be created. 

• Touchdown spaces

Another example of an ‘informal space’ inside an Agile work environment, where employees are allowed to carry out less important tasks without fail. Tasks such as checking the email or journaling can be from such touchdown spaces. These areas vary in terms of shapes & sizes, such as it can be a standing desk in the lobby space or a simple workstation.

How can you implement an Agile work environment?

Before you even decide to implement an Agile work environment in your organization, you must remember that this change will not happen overnight. Hence, don’t be astonished if you face any resistance from your employees. It’s human nature to get attached to a familiar space, which is why your employees will fear the unknown, i.e. adapting to an Agile work environment. 

The following are some of the few tips & tricks that you can utilize for successfully implementing an Agile work environment:

• Always try to be honest and open about the reason why your company is planning to make the shift to an Agile workplace. Moreover, you also need to explain the benefits to your employees as well as the hardships they’ll be facing on their way.
• Always start with small changes first and then gradually move to the bigger changes. In that way, your employees will not hesitate towards the change. 
• Always try to maintain an open line connection for conversation with various departments of your organization. 
• Lastly, ensure that all of your employees can experience an easy way to stay productive and creative at their respective jobs.

For which type of companies the Agile work environment works?

The Agile workspace concept is ideal for companies that have specific importance on the outcome instead of attendance. Since Agile is specifically oriented for adaptability, flexibility & convenience for the customers so that maximum performance can be obtained; companies that tend to benefit from the collaboration will enjoy the concept of an Agile work environment.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that a traditional workplace environment will always provide a solid foundation for any company out there. However, creating an Agile workplace will significantly enhance the way your employees perform their tasks. There are multiple good reasons why you should implement Agile in a working environment, which is why it’s time to perform the same without any hesitation.

Times change, people change. And when people change, it’s not wise to let them work on previously accepted methods anymore. Thus, in this digital age, you simply cannot stay away from modern environments & facilities, which is why an Agile workplace makes the utmost sense. 

While the primary adaption process can be challenging, the result will be truly worth it. 

References

1. https://www.newdayoffice.com/blog/what-is-an-Agile-workplace
2. https://spaceiq.com/blog/what-is-an-Agile-work-environment/
3. https://www.iofficecorp.com/blog/Agile-work-environment-assigned-seats

Useful Links:

SAFe Agilist Course Indianapolis, Advanced Certified Product Owner Training Tokyo, Scrum Master Certification Course Canberra, CSM Virtual Training Course Indianapolis, SAFe Agilist Online Training Colorado Springs, Advanced Certified Scrum Master Certification Training Salt Lake City, Product Owner Certification Course Hamburg, Scrum Master Course Training Atlanta, Certified Scrum Product Owner Virtual Certification Training Amsterdam, Leading SAFe Virtual Certification Training Auckland