Digital workspace: is it worth it?
Over the past decade, digital transformation has been blurring the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds. It is considered the fourth industrial revolution. Cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality and augmented reality are all contributing to change.
In addition, larger workforces, data overloads, remote working habits and changing age demographics also contribute to workspace disruption. Here are some of the catalysts:
The number of teams has doubled over the past 5 years.
Various technologies produce so much information that 90% of the world’s data has been created in the last 2 years.
Remote working has quadrupled over the past 10 years.
By 2020, half the workforce will be made up of millennials, who have different expectations when it comes to work-life balance.
Organizations take these catalysts into account. They transform their work environments into flexible digital workspaces. The promise of better productivity and performance is prompting Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to seize on the disruption of the digital workspace as an opportunity to innovate their working environments.
Digital workspace transformation guarantees rapid impact
Executives have always been aware of the importance of the physical workspace. They take a close look at decisions such as cubicles, open workspaces, art placement, cafeteria access, leisure facilities, gyms and so on. They know that these decisions affect the long-term health and prosperity of the organization. IOCs are realizing that the same level of consideration is needed for the digital workspace.
However, a surprising part of the digital workspace is that the impacts are rapid. Physical workspaces have budget, time and space constraints. With this in mind, CIOs can use the digital workspace to affect the organization’s culture and work habits more quickly and effectively. It’s opening up a whole new frontier for democratizing the workplace.
WHY DESIGN A DIGITAL WORKSPACE?
Accessible and affordable digital tools help transform the digital workspace. Companies are adopting these tools for the following reasons:
Employees can visualize and work with data in real time. They use dashboards, screens and even 3D holograms to share information with each other. Real-time data enables employees to better serve customers and create better products.
When small businesses reach the corporate level, they lose the strong sense of shared purpose. Each team lives in its own silo. Digital workspaces enhance teamwork. Teams can work in close collaboration with each other thanks to remote technology.
Digital environments facilitate data-centric integration. More integrated ecosystems eliminate wasted time and resources. Work processes are automated to eliminate duplication.
Burned-out employees can cost companies between $125 and $190 billion in health problems. Generation Y, the growing age demographic in the workspace, is more conscientious about maintaining a better work-life balance. Digital workspaces offer the remote working opportunities that Generation Y considers essential.
How to get started with your digital workspace
Although digital workspaces are easier to create than physical ones, they still require vision, careful thought and planning. Here are a few key steps:
RoadmapYou need to start with a roadmap for your digital transformation. Assess your organization’s current situation. Explore the possibilities that can take your business to the next level. Brainstorm ideas, find challenges and set milestones.
Design Use your goals to create a digital workspace prototype. Test drive the prototype to discover its strengths and weaknesses.
Implementation Move your prototype into production environments. Track how your employees are adapting to the new digital workspace. You need to keep updating models as more and more technologies and tools become available.
Digital workspace: well worth it!
A CIO is responsible for defining an organization’s digital future. It’s a heavy burden. The digital workspace can play a key role in how a company embraces the future. So it’s a good idea to start planning today. It’s really worth it. Your company will stay ahead of the competition. You can thank yourself later.
References
– Microsoft Services Digital Workspace PDF
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2018/08/24/five-ways-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-by-tapping-digital-achievers/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/05/15/context-is-king-how-to-secure-the-digital-workspace/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2015/12/03/how-the-physical-workspace-impacts-the-employee-experience/
- https://www.forbes.com/forbes-insights/our-work/fourth-industrial-revolution/
- https://hbr.org/2017/04/employee-burnout-is-a-problem-with-the-company-not-the-person
