What is agile working?

Infiltrating the corporate environment, New Ways of Working (NWoW) are transforming workplaces globally. Hybrid working is dominating the scene, offering a split-time approach between the office and home. However, other elements such as ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘where’ people work are also vital in creating an efficient, productive and enjoyable work environment. As we’re witnessing the deconstruction of the traditional working set-ups, it’s now agile working that’s bringing the flexibility professionals are seeking.

Unlike hybrid working, agile working is still in its early days of adoption but it’s getting traction. Big names such as Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever have been promoting agile working, having far-reaching global implications. Many businesses see agile working as a tool to increase employee productivity and work satisfaction through mutual trust and flexible working practices.

Agile working brings benefits to companies and their employees on a personal level as it focuses on individual's requirements to work more effectively. One of the most widely used definitions states that:

Agile working is about bringing people, processes, connectivity and technology, time and place together to find the most appropriate and effective way of working to carry out a particular task. – The Agile Organisation

Recent changes in the working environment and its undeniable benefits are accelerating the adoption of agile working. Flexibility around time and location makes agile working a more multi-dimensional approach to work.

Agile working encompasses four main aspects of work – time (when do people work), location (where do people work), role (what do people do) and source (who carries out work). These elements are then adjusted to each person individually to fit their needs and working style, maximising everyone’s potential and increasing productivity.

While agile working tries to address multiple issues, the most widely discussed is location. An agile approach to work introduces employees to ‘location independent working’, meaning that you can venture out away from your desk in the office and explore unconventional locations that may suit your preference.

Technology plays a key role in growing and adopting the agile working model. Continuously improving digital tools simplifies the process of working from anywhere. Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C) technology has risen to the occasion, ensuring the same level of professionalism and sophistication regardless of your physical location.

Work is a thing you do, not a place you go to anymore. No longer is the laptop the answer to everything. The correct peripherals are as important as your main device such as highquality audio, video and tools that allow an immersive experience. – Chris Southern, General Sales Manager at Midwich.

Agile working is making a mark on the modern professional environment, reflecting the shift in how we see work. Focusing on flexibility and performance rather than a physical location, agile working brings the future to the workplace.