What are the key drivers and challenges of implementing agile and flexible workspaces in your CRE strategy?

1 What are agile and flexible workspaces?

Agile and flexible workspaces are work environments that allow employees to choose where, when, and how they work, depending on their preferences, tasks, and projects. They typically include a mix of spaces, such as open-plan areas, private offices, meeting rooms, breakout zones, co-working spaces, and remote options. Agile and flexible workspaces aim to optimize space utilization, reduce costs, enhance performance, and foster a culture of trust and empowerment.

2 Why are they important for your CRE strategy?

Agile and flexible workspaces can help you align your CRE strategy with your business goals, values, and vision. They can help you attract and retain talent, boost innovation and creativity, increase agility and responsiveness, and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. They can also help you reduce your environmental impact, comply with health and safety regulations, and adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs.

3 What are the key drivers of agile and flexible workspaces?

The changing nature of work, employee expectations, customer demands, and the context of the pandemic have all been key drivers for the adoption of more agile and flexible workspaces. Digitalization, automation, and globalization have made collaboration and creativity across teams, locations, and time zones essential. This new generation of workers values autonomy, diversity, and well-being, and desires more choice and support from employers. Customers are now more informed and demanding, expecting personalized solutions from their providers. The COVID-19 crisis has further emphasized the importance of agile workspaces in order to ensure business continuity, resilience, and recovery in a time of disruption and change.

4 What are the key challenges of agile and flexible workspaces?

Agile and flexible workspaces present several key challenges, such as complexity in design and management, the risk of underutilization and overspending, and the risk of isolation and disengagement. Careful planning, design, and management are needed to ensure they meet user needs. Effective communication and coordination should be used to avoid confusion and conflict. Additionally, regular monitoring, evaluation, and optimization are required to deliver the expected value and outcomes. Furthermore, a strong culture, vision, and purpose are necessary to prevent a sense of isolation and disengagement. Proactive engagement, feedback, and recognition should be employed to foster a sense of belonging, identity, and trust.

5 How can you overcome these challenges?

In order to overcome the challenges of agile and flexible workspace transformations, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of your space needs, preferences, and behaviors with all relevant stakeholders and users. Develop a vision, strategy, and roadmap for your transformation that is aligned with your business goals, values, and vision. Implement a pilot project to test and validate the concept, design, and management of the workspace. Scale up the solution across your portfolio while ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency. Lastly, use data, analytics, and feedback to monitor, measure, and improve the performance of your agile and flexible workspace in order to optimize space utilization, costs, and outcomes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?