How to Build a Bad Research Center (2013)

Post by Absentinsomniac » Sat, Jan 02, 2016, 7:19 AM UTC

lfam wrote: post #8

phj wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work in one of these labs. I suppose if you really need to do work, a pair of headphones suffice. But the open space makes it really easy to have visitors (there are a lot of them), as well as the aforementioned interacting w/ neighbors. It's certainly more interesting than working alone in an office or at home. The meeting offices are mentioned briefly, but those see quite a bit of use as well.

Careful with the headphones. If they are loud enough to obscure the noise of your coworkers, they are probably loud enough to damage your hearing if used every day.

Post by GFK_of_xmaspast » Sat, Jan 02, 2016, 6:37 PM UTC

paulsutter wrote: post #4

teddyh wrote: post #2

> Good Commandment 5. Thou shalt disturb thy neighbors. > Researchers have found that innovation is enhanced if all participants work in a single open space less than 50 meters across, as it encourages spontaneous discussions across disciplines.[viii] The goal is for the space to support concentration and communication. For example, for the last four centers of Table I, the faculty gave up their private offices to be…

Management really believes that the open space is more collaborative and has a better "buzz" that really does feel, to the manager, like more work is getting done. Of course, employees hate open space. Constant distractions, and the pervasive feeling of being watched by everyone, all the time. It's really interesting that management is so out of touch. (I say this as a manager who loved big open offices, until I read…

Post by laerad » Sun, Jan 03, 2016, 1:03 PM UTC

paulsutter wrote: post #4

teddyh wrote: post #2

> Good Commandment 5. Thou shalt disturb thy neighbors. > Researchers have found that innovation is enhanced if all participants work in a single open space less than 50 meters across, as it encourages spontaneous discussions across disciplines.[viii] The goal is for the space to support concentration and communication. For example, for the last four centers of Table I, the faculty gave up their private offices to be…

Management really believes that the open space is more collaborative and has a better "buzz" that really does feel, to the manager, like more work is getting done. Of course, employees hate open space. Constant distractions, and the pervasive feeling of being watched by everyone, all the time. It's really interesting that management is so out of touch. (I say this as a manager who loved big open offices, until I read…