Task-based workplace design makes sense, right? Until recently, that’s simply how businesses usually sorted themselves, compartmentalized by various functions and tasks. Sales sat with sales, HR with HR, product management with...you get the idea. These departments often functioned independently, each contributing its part to the larger corporate picture. On a seating chart, it’s nice and neat. In reality, physical and organizational barriers can get in the way of office collaboration and cohesion.

But like everything in office design, that’s starting to change. And for many businesses, it’s a very good thing. While the old ways fulfill a human need to organize and keep an office orderly with clearly defined responsibilities, compartmentalization can create layers of hierarchy, slow down critical decision-making and handicap a company’s ability to respond to changes or new opportunities with agility. Compartmentalization unintentionally short-circuits the easy flow of ideas and potential solutions. Notes Jay Malone for design software maker InVision, “It’s nearly impossible—and in the best-case scenario extremely inefficient—for [one] team to research and validate problem solutions, and then have another team design and build those solutions.”

The solution? Companies are rethinking their workspaces to better reflect and facilitate workflow. It’s called activity-based working (ABW) and it aligns well with the post-COVID-19 changes in employee expectations of more flexible (and even homey) office environments that inspire creativity and encourage teamwork. For those ready to embrace it, HON is ready to help, with a range of adaptable office products for evolving spaces.

This new trend in office design goes by many names: innovation spaces, decompartmentalization and activity-based working. All three concepts create an office environment that supports workflow, breaking down physical and organizational barriers to help enhance collaboration and teamwork.

Here are three reasons why activity-based working is a trend worth paying attention to.

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1. ABW supports a hybrid work model.

This is critical to retaining valued team members not yet ready to commit to a full-time office presence while enabling all members to more easily connect with each other, brainstorm and meet company and client needs.

2. ABW is adaptable.

In an agile, activity-based workspace, team members from a variety of departments may work together in logical groups, such as product development, sales and marketing, preparing to take a new item to market. There could be huddle rooms with flexible Astir seating for small groups to kick around ideas; learning zones with state-of-the-art technology and interactive video walls; cafes and gathering rooms with comfortable Mav lounge chairs; silent zones for heads-down work; pods for private calls; and meeting spaces with versatile Preside tables and chairs for larger groups. During an average workweek, a team member might end up using all of those spaces without being tethered to an assigned desk.

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3. ABW is doable.

Creating such a pliable and transformative space requires adaptable equipment that can be easily reconfigured to meet the changing needs of employees and companies. For example, our versatile Huddle multipurpose tables can be linked in training formats, grouped as conference tables or used as standalone workstations.

And our Motivate collection of office furniture solutions—durable tables, comfortable seating and tech-savvy presentation tools—works together in harmony to provide a comprehensive environment that’s ideal for creative collaboration and activity-based working.

At its essence, activity-based working signals a fundamental shift in how we regard work, office design and cross-collaboration between departments. ABW also recognizes that everyone is different and may need different types of workspaces—even for the same type of activity. The modern work environment needs to be adaptable, flexible and personalized. And the right furniture can make all the difference. HON retailers and distributors will be happy to discuss all of your needs and help create an office workspace customized for your company, team members, activities and goals.