Here are the workplace analytics terms to know, ranging from the industry standard terms and metrics to the ones leaders are using to analyze the new world of work.
The office isn't what it used to be. With hybrid work now the norm, companies are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to make their spaces work. The old ways of measuring and managing offices just don't cut it anymore. That's why we've put together this guide.
Here are the workplace analytics terms to know, ranging from the industry standard terms and metrics that have defined the space for decades to the ones the industry leaders are using to analyze the new world of work.
There are certain terms and practices that workplace teams have been using for decades to understand how their offices are being used:
While these continue to offer value in the new world of work, they also have limitations. These terms often miss nuances around the use of one type of space versus another, or how spaces are used throughout a day. For example, are people able to find meeting rooms when the office hits peak occupancy? With these blunt instruments, you just don’t know. That’s where modern metrics come in to complete the picture.
To get a deeper understanding of how your workplace is used, you need to measure how people are using all of the various spaces that make up your office. This more granular measurement and understanding is crucial for effective workplace strategy and design.
Here are the metrics that act as building blocks for analyzing how spaces in any workplace are being used.
As organizations strive to create more flexible and collaborative environments, the traditional office layout has given way to a diverse ecosystem of purposeful spaces. Here are some of the key space types you'll encounter in today's workplace:
As traditional office norms give way to more flexible work arrangements, new patterns of behavior and space utilization have emerged. These trends are reshaping how we think about and manage our workspaces. Let's explore some of the most pressing issues and concepts shaping today's office dynamics, and how to address them:
Unassigned seats or hot desks - Where offices do not provide an assigned desk for each employee, and instead have them find desks or workspaces on-demand.
Meeting room squatting or camping - Where employees treat meeting rooms as a personal office, using them as a space for individual work or spending hours on end in the room.
Ghost meetings - Where employees book a meeting space, but never show up for the meeting.
Occupancy planning - the practice of analyzing how your space is being used and making adjustments to maximize current and future utilization. It’s an effective strategy to improve any space, from a single office to an entire corporate real estate portfolio.
Coffee badging - Where employees show up at the office just long enough to meet RTO compliance, usually to get a coffee or lunch.
Desks as coat racks - Where employees drop off their belongings at a desk, but do not spend any meaningful time there.
Critical Mass - the ideal balance of space and human energy that creates a better workplace experience for employees.
By moving beyond table-stakes data to table-turning insights, you can transform your office from just a physical space into a strategic asset. Understanding these key terms and metrics empowers you to make informed decisions, optimize your workspace, and create an environment where teams can thrive.
Learn more about Density's workplace metrics software or request a demo to see Density in action.
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