The term Smart Working describes an approach that aims to drive greater efficiency and effectiveness in achieving job outcomes through flexibility, autonomy and collaboration; optimising tools and working environments for employees.

Agile Working benefits from the use of technology and flexibility in the workspace in such a way that employees can choose where and how they work provided they get the job done. The approach relies on mutual trust and frequently changes in working culture. Companies large and small have embraced Agile Working and guidance on design of workplaces, including the BCO’s Guide to Fit-Out, is readily available.
Does simply changing the working environment in an office bring about workplace cultural change on its own, or is there more to it than that? Yes, there is more to it!

Geoff Ward, partner with Stephen George + Partners LLP Architects shares experiences of delivering workplace projects large and small in the public and private sectors and discusses the opportunities and limitations of using design as an enabler for change in working culture.

Very much intended to promote a discussion based on experience of what has worked and what occasionally has not worked so well, the presentation is aimed at finding out what delivering workplace change can be like in a ‘real world’ setting, occasionally with more budget-conscious and human challenges.