Space for Knowledge flows

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Space for Knowledge flows

• Creating environments that support knowledge work

Gillian Maree
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• What we have learned is that you may succeed in
  business despite your space, but you seldom
  succeed because of it
• Donald J. Chiofaro

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Its about

• Understanding
• the impact of the physical work space on
  knowledge sharing
• that knowledge happens everywhere

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So what is knowledge management?
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theory
data
information
knowledge
capacity for informed action
experience
filter
This process of integration is also called
learning (after Miller and Morris, 1999)
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Types of knowledge

• Explicit knowledge can be written down
• Tacit knowledge highly personal, context
  specific, difficult to codify and share

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The knowledge environment
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The changing workplace
The conventional office
The contemporary office

• Reflected hierarchies
• Cell-type offices
• Individual work
• Little interaction
• Little knowledge sharing
• Control

• Team-based allocations
• Open layouts
• Team based work
• High levels interaction
• Sharing a focal point
• Community

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Knowledge space
office
city
Conventionally
Future
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Trends in office space

• Workers are making use of multiple workplaces and
  nomadic work patterns
• Styles of work are becoming more flexible
• Office space is changing to reflect the
  importance of communication and the exchange of
  ideas

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Demands of workspace

• attract the right people
• interaction and communication
• openness and convenience
• flexibility
• Image
• diversity of accommodation
• Concentration and dispersal of functions and
  people
• Support people wherever they work
• Sense of place

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Work space types
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Personal space is important

• Knowledge workers value their personal space
  highly
• Personal space remains a status symbol in the
  work place
• The average workstation is occupied for 45 of
  the day

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Personal Space (2)

• Accessibility
• Email and telephone use
• Types
• Individual office
• Shared offices
• Open plan
• Bullpen

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Team Space

• Space for in depth technical and project related
  discussions
• Medium sized teams used (5 15 people)
• Typically equipped with tables, chairs,
  whiteboards, cupboards, electric and internet
  connects, workshop materials

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Team Space (2)

• Includes project rooms, war rooms, meeting room,
  boardroom, etc
• Used over short to medium time periods
• Flexible
• Single (executive boardroom) or multifunctional
  (project room)

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Rugby versus relay race models
Traditional Relay Race
Rugby Model

• every department does its bit
• meet at set times in set locations
• team workspaces rare
• difficult to maintain a collective memory

• cross-functional teams
• dedicated team rooms
• free-flowing and serendipitous communication
• visual thinking techniques are important

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Social Space

• Serendipitous Knowledge flows
• Can be everything that is not personal or team
  space
• Typically short exchanges
• Anything from 2 people to entire group
• Should form naturally and not be forced

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Social Space (2)

• Typically thought of as cafeteria, braai area,
  pool table
• Coffee machine, microwave, printers, copy
  machine, mail
• Corridors move more than just people

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Previous studies

• 30 metre rule likelihood of interaction with a
  co-worker more than 30 meters away is likely to
  be zero
• Workers stationed on different floors have a 1
  chance of meeting
• Spatial arrangements and appearance sends signals
  about status and behaviour

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Signals on status and behavior

• Work culture and socialisation is linked to
  workspace
• Reflected through
• The extent to which space is personalised
• Amount of individual versus group space
• Décor
• Social configuration within the space

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Integrated spaces for knowledge flows

• Need personal, team and social spaces

Form follows function
or
Structure follows strategy
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Integrated workspace
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(Ward and Holtham, 2000)
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Conclusion

• Knowledge workers take their space personally but
  require team and social spaces for knowledge
  sharing
• Avoiding unimaginative and dull workspaces is not
  difficult
• Providing flexibility (across scales and time)
• Structure follows strategy

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Example Environmentek

• Water Resource Management Business area

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Lowered ceiling
paint
carpets
Shared printer/copy/fax facilities
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White wall
LAN point
Modular furniture
Pin and white boards
Visual thinking
Comfortable and stackable chairs
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Remove wall
Interest boards
Tea corner water cooler
Bean bags