Activity Based Working is not provided by IT

Activity Based Working (ABW) is the term used for a change in work practices that focusses on creating collaboration based workspaces, instead of personally assigned desks or cubicles. To enable ABW, there needs to be a shift in tools used by staff, so that they are accessible from mobile devices. However, Activity Based Working is not provided by IT – even if the tools are.

I have come across organisations who believe that if IT provides the certain tools and capabilities, such as initiatives such as a BYOD policy to allow access to a Horizon View virtual desktop or Citrix published apps, that this will magically make all staff able to focus on their work activities and collaborate with others. The idea is that ABW will enable businesses to reduce real estate costs associated with large offices that are full of assigned desks and offices, which are often not fully used through the work day.

But, as with so many areas of business [for example, BCP], this initiative is not the responsibility of IT to provide for the business, but is instead enabled by IT tools, capabilities and services.

As we enter into the realms of Work 2.0, it’s important to note that your mileage may vary, and that not everything will be applicable to your business.

Consider previous times that IT have implemented tools or solutions – have these changed the work practices of the entire business? Think along the lines of non line-of-business tools such as a new printing capability or a new meeting booking system – did the provision of these tools dramatically change your business, or was it a tool that was otherwise utilised by the business to meet the needs of an initiative?

The focus for ABW should be on a change to work practices, instead of a belief that “if you build it, they will come”. The IT tools and facilities are of course fundamental to enable the business initiative, but they (and the IT department) are not the driver.

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