Designing productive spaces for mobile workers: Role insights from network analysis

Workspace design has not been keeping up with the evolving needs of mobile workers. Although the economic benefits of mobile work have been expanding for companies, few companies have mobile worker strategies that seriously address how new ways of working require different kinds of physical space, mobile devices, and office equipment. Popular mobile worker ''myths'' about the work they do, what they need when they are in the office, and even gender and age have led to costly mistakes in office design and installations and technology purchases. This paper presents findings from a mobile workforce study, in which value network analysis was used to define the roles mobile workers play, map the ways they interact with others and explore how this interaction impacts technology and workspace needs. The insights gained from this approach are helping workplace designers, technology providers, and workspace managers better meet the real needs of workers and use resources more effectively.