The Role of Workplace Analytics in Successful Hybrid Work

Here at Worklytics, we help companies figure out how work is getting done.  With return-to-office, we’re seeing a lot of stubbed toes as teams try to figure out a new hybrid work model.  From too many meetings to too few phone booths, people are telling us that they feel more productive at home.

That’s why we were excited about Robin

The team at Robin is committed to reducing the hassle of hybrid work.  Wondering who’s going to be in the office when?  Want to make sure you’ve got a desk next to the people that you’ll be working with?  Robin’s got you covered.

We invited the team at Robin to write a guest post on how you can use analytics insights to power a frictionless hybrid workplace experience.  Here are their top tips.

Guest Post from Robin:

As hybrid work models continue to gain traction, companies are increasingly relying on workplace analytics to optimize their spaces and strategies. By understanding how employees are using the office, leaders can more effectively manage their flexible workplaces.

Office analytics give companies the insights they need to make data-driven decisions that enhance productivity, improve resource allocation, and support workplace strategies. From meeting room usage to desk utilization, the right data can inform more strategic planning for your hybrid office.

In this article, we will explore the crucial role of workplace analytics in successful hybrid work and discuss how the right data can help organizations: 

  • Understand office activity and patterns
  • Right-size office spaces
  • Forecast resource needs
  • Refine their workplace strategies
  • Remain adaptable

Understanding Office Activity and Patterns

Better planning for your hybrid office starts with understanding how your space is being used. Workplace analytics provides valuable insights into office activity and patterns, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about their workspace. The best workplace analytics enable you to get really granular with your data, with views into how different departments are interacting with the office and access to historical data. 

This information can help identify peak hours, popular areas, and unused spaces, leading to optimized office layouts and improved employee experiences. For instance, through workplace analytics, organizations can identify areas with high footfall and adapt the office environment accordingly, such as adding additional seating or amenities.

Right-Sizing Office Spaces

Have you ever wondered if you’re using your office space efficiently? Workplace analytics can help organizations right-size their office spaces. By analyzing data on office utilization and occupancy rates, leaders can determine the optimal size and layout of their workplaces for more effective space management

This data-driven approach allows organizations to optimize their office spaces based on real-time usage patterns rather than relying on assumptions. Workplace analytics can aid in identifying underutilized areas, which can be repurposed or eliminated, resulting in cost savings and increased efficiency.

Forecasting Resource Needs

Workplace analytics plays a vital role in accurately forecasting resource needs. Through the analysis of historical data, organizations can identify trends and patterns, enabling them to anticipate future resource requirements. 

This includes aspects such as office supplies, desk spaces, meeting room availability and technology infrastructure. By understanding resource demands, organizations can ensure they have the necessary tools, equipment, and facilities to support a productive hybrid workforce and a great workplace experience.

For example, with Robin customers, we found that desks with 5 or more amenities were twice as likely to be used than desks without any. Think things like keyboards, mouses, a second monitor etc. These data points might look different for your company but having data on bookings ensures you can set up your office in a way that suits your team’s preferences.

Refining Your Workplace Strategy

Workplace analytics empowers organizations to refine their workplace strategies by providing actionable insights. By tracking data on desk booking, room scheduling, and office utilization, organizations can identify opportunities for improvement. 

For example, if employees frequently struggle to find available desks, hot desking initiatives can be implemented to maximize desk utilization. Maybe the data shows you that certain meeting rooms are consistently underutilized, organizations can then explore alternative uses or redesign them to better align with employee needs. 

This is particularly useful as companies continue to test-and-learn with different hybrid work initiatives. If you roll out a new policy for teams to come in a certain number of days a week, you can use data to understand whether that policy is actually sticking or if you need to make some adjustments. Workplace analytics enables evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that workplace strategies are dynamic and adaptable.

Continuous Improvement and Adaptability

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past three plus years it’s that change is the only true constant. Workplace analytics enables organizations to continuously improve and adapt their strategies based on real-time data and insights. 

By regularly analyzing workplace data, leaders can identify emerging trends, anticipate changing employee needs, and adjust their workplace strategies accordingly. This agility allows companies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving hybrid work landscape, ensuring that their workplaces remain flexible, efficient, and aligned with employee expectations.

The Role of Workplace Experience Platforms

Workplace experience platforms provide a comprehensive solution for managing hybrid work environments. These platforms offer features such as desk booking systems, room scheduling, and employee feedback mechanisms. 

By harnessing the power of a workplace experience platform, organizations can gather real-time data on employee preferences, satisfaction levels, and usage patterns. This data helps create a more personalized and engaging work environment that aligns with employee expectations, ultimately driving productivity and employee well-being.

In fact, 73% of managers using a workplace experience platform reported feeling empowered to execute on their hybrid work strategy. With the right platform in place, you get a more robust set of data points so you can paint a better picture of your workplace and, ultimately, support a high-performing hybrid workforce. 

Leveraging the Power of Workplace Analytics

In the era of hybrid work, workplace analytics has emerged as a crucial tool for organizations aiming to optimize their operations and create successful work environments. By leveraging workplace analytics, organizations can gain insights into office activity and patterns, right-size their office spaces, forecast resource needs, and refine their workplace strategies. 

Workplace experience platforms further enhance the effectiveness of workplace analytics by providing real-time data and fostering a more engaging work environment. As organizations continue to navigate the hybrid work landscape, workplace analytics will play an increasingly vital role in driving productivity, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.

Looking to learn more about how the right platform can supercharge your hybrid workplace with better data and better resource management? Let’s chat about where Robin can help. 

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