The Pros & Cons of Open Plan Office Space

Glance into any modern startup office, and you’ll see the same thing. An open plan space filled with laptops and eager young professionals. The open-plan office is the new startup way. Entrepreneurs make the most of the space they can afford, and it has lead to this simple setup. But, is this really the best layout for a small business office? We spoke to a number of entrepreneurs and startup workers to find out whether open plan offices work.

PROS

Cheap – Most entrepreneurs came back with one simple answer: it’s what they could afford. Open plan spaces are utilised in all sorts of areas, and it’s simple to move in and set up. Some are taking advantage of used modular buildings to set up office. These are portable, efficient offices that can be molded to your liking. Quite simply, a big, open space is cheaper than a building with lots of private rooms.
Investors love it – Startup culture is obsessed with investment. It needs angel investors to thrive and grow. And an open-plan office looks incredibly inviting to an investor. Why? Because they’re a buzz of activity. Open plan offices look like things are happening. Colleagues are collaborating and beavering away in the same space. It’s exciting. Not only that, but it shows investors that there’s room to grow. You can quickly squeeze in new employees when their money hits the account.
Collaboration – Google have always been the leaders of office productivity and design. They take pride in their company campus, and one of the driving factors is ‘collaboration’. Open plan offices mean that ideas are sparked as colleagues talk together. Employees are more inclined to ask for help, and offer assistance. It boosts communal productivity.

CONS

Noise and distraction – While collaborative work can benefit from an open plan office, it can harm your private work. Sometimes, we just need two hours to lock ourselves away and power through a project. This is very difficult to do in an open-plan office. There is noise and distraction from every corner, which is hard to phase out when you need to. In terms of personal productivity, it can lead to a decline in performance.
Privacy – In an open-plan office, it’s very easy to overhear conversations and see your colleague’s computer screens. In some companies where discreet and private conversations are needed, this isn’t ideal.
Not everyone works well in this environment – There have been studies carried out with regard to optimum working environments. The truth is there’s no right answer. Some people thrive in an open, collaborative environment. They love group work, conversation, and brainstorming sessions. Others need quiet solitude to work through their thoughts. They need time on their own to create their best work, and they are held back by open-plan spaces. The trick is finding a solution that works for everybody. Use open-plan environments, but make sure there are quiet spaces for individual work. Or even let some employees work from home once in a while.
Different office environments work for different businesses. Make the decision that works for your employees.
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