# Workspace and Productivity: Guidelines for Virtual Reality Workplace Design and Optimization
## 3 Results
### Study 1
#### 3.1.1 Expert Interviews
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Study** & & **Key Findings** \\ \hline Study 1: Expert Interviews & \(\bullet\) & Ultimately, a workspace must meet certain core human needs (ownership, attachment, and identity formation) to achieve optimal performance. \\  & \(\bullet\) & A delicate balance exists when creating a productive workplace: physical, cultural, and sensorial elements all impact on employee productivity and wellbeing. \\  & \(\bullet\) & While more technology in the workplace can increase productivity and collaboration, it is important to proceed with caution when designing; new technology can also create a new set of needs and pain points. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Effective change management is crucial to employees adopting and accepting a new workplace environment. \\  & \(\bullet\) & The quest for the ideal workspace is a work in progress; employees’ needs and activities have evolved, and workspaces are, ideally, created to accommodate these changes. \\ \hline Study 2a: Observing & \(\bullet\) & Desks tended to be wooden and rectangular. Electronics, writing materials, photos and beverages were often found on desks. Most remote workers had two monitors. Available space varied greatly, but most did not have a good view of their floors. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Most participants worked from a desk. If not, they were usually on the go. Windows were often positioned nearby, but room brightness varied. Pets, children and other people often entered workspaces. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Although half had rollable chairs, movement was minimal. A wide range of postures was observed. Most furnishings/objects were not easily moveable. Breaks were frequent and often involved leaving workspaces. \\ \hline Study 2b: Observing & \(\bullet\) & Physical layout utilization has been shown to be dependent on the team and task functionalities and characteristics. Different work zones enable dynamic, spontaneous collaboration. The ability to move freely between zones is needed to encourage complete utilization of spaces. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Collaboration can take many forms; employees’ needs for collaboration depend on the nature of their work activities, and needs differ among organizations, teams, and individuals. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Norms dictate how freely work activity happens. Organizational culture and implicit and explicit norms influence the utility of collaborative spaces; flexibility in movement between spaces; acceptability of behaviors at and away from desks. \\ \hline Study 3: Working in VR & \(\bullet\) & Findings are in line with results presented studies 1 and 2. Customization needs exist at the company, team and individual levels. \\  & \(\bullet\) & Virtual Reality creates additional dynamics, with context specifically related to meeting goals and real-world contexts being important drivers. \\  & \(\bullet\) & The right customization will be the optimal balance between maximum user impact and the effort to produce (art) and implement (engineering), as well as user experience (design/user experience research). \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Key findings based on work-related productivity characteristics and needs. \"There are rooms that are loud, noisy, and lively, but this design supports a different level of socialization rather than one giant, crowded room or a single cubby that's just for yourself.\" (VP of product development)  
Redefining Collaboration  
Interviewees emphasized that understanding the journey for employees in a space is key; employees' needs should be understood, and the values and physical culture must be manifested in the space. To successfully collaborate, there should be a democratization of the remote experience to equalize levels of input and eliminate imbalances that exist in hybrid (in-person and remote) interactions. The degree of ownership required in a space should be understood by examining the activities happening within different teams; here, needs can vary dramatically.