Hybrid Working and Workplace Data

Last month, I wrote about Basking, an AI-powered occupancy analytics platform that can deliver accurate, real-time data on how our workspaces are actually being used. As I explored, Basking integrates seamlessly with a company's existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to anonymously track the location of connected devices, providing rich insights into space utilisation across the entire workplace.

This kind of granular, data-driven visibility is invaluable, especially as more organizations embrace hybrid work models. After all, how can we expect to effectively design and manage our offices if we don't have a clear understanding of how people are actually moving through and utilizing the available spaces?

However, as I alluded to in my previous article, simply having access to occupancy analytics is just the start. To truly harness the power of this data, we need to dig deeper and unpack the underlying behavioral drivers and preferences that shape how people are using the workplace.

People's behaviors in a given workspace may seem straightforward on the surface - they're either at their desks, in a meeting room, or relaxing in a lounge area. But the reasons behind those choices can be much more nuanced. Are they happy and productive in their current work setting, or simply making do because their first-choice option wasn't available? Are some avoiding the office altogether on busy days because they struggle to concentrate in a crowded environment?

Understanding these motivations is crucial, because it allows us to identify whether the available work settings are truly meeting people's needs. After all, in a flexible, non-assigned seating environment, the workplace should empower people to choose how and where they work, not force them to compromise.

So while the occupancy data from Basking or similar platforms may show that a particular area is bustling with activity, a deeper dive could reveal that it's not necessarily an indication of an optimal work environment. Perhaps that highly utilized "collaborative" zone is being co-opted for individual focus work, because the quieter spaces are perpetually full. Or the reason the private phone booths are always occupied could be that the open plan areas don't provide sufficient acoustic privacy.

These sorts of insights - gleaned by layering behavioral and preference data on top of the raw utilization metrics - can be transformative. They enable us to assess not just how the workplace is being used, but whether it's being used in the intended way and, crucially, whether people are actually satisfied with the experience.

And this level of understanding is just as important for supporting remote and hybrid work models as it is for traditional office setups. After all, if we accept that the future of work will involve a more distributed, fluid workforce, then maintaining a clear line of sight into workspace usage becomes even more mission-critical.

By analyzing how people engage with the physical office when they do choose to come in, we can identify ways to optimize the on-site experience and better cater to their evolving needs. This, in turn, can help drive increased office utilization, as people see tangible value in making the commute.

Conversely, for those who opt to work remotely more often, detailed usage data can help us determine if the home environment is adequately supporting their needs, or if we need to provide additional tools, resources, or even alternative work settings to keep them engaged and productive.

Ultimately, the true power of workplace utilization data lies in its ability to inform holistic, human-centric strategies that bring out the best in our people, regardless of their work location. It's not enough to simply optimize the physical office footprint for cost savings - the goal should be to create work environments that people genuinely enjoy and find energizing.

And as we continue to navigate the complexities of hybrid work, this kind of people-first, data-driven approach will only become more crucial. The pandemic has fundamentally reshaped expectations around workplace flexibility, and the organizations that thrive will be those that can leverage occupancy analytics to continuously evolve their offerings and stay closely aligned with their employees' evolving needs and preferences.

So while the occupancy data from Basking and similar platforms provides an invaluable foundation, the real work begins when we start to peel back the layers and truly understand the human stories behind the numbers. Only then can we unlock the full transformative potential of the workplace - not just as a functional space, but as a strategic enabler of productivity, wellbeing, and engagement.