Patent ID: 6976002

Claim:
A tool for classifying an individual within an organization based on work pattern data obtained from the individual for use in providing an office space layout for the individual to facilitate knowledge management based on the classification of the work pattern data, comprising: an interface for obtaining work pattern data associated with the individual; and a system for correlating the work pattern data from the individual with at least one work pattern comprising predefined characteristics so that the individual can be classified as a member of at least one work pattern group based on the correlation of the work pattern data from the individual to the predefined characteristics of at least one work pattern corresponding to at least one work pattern group; Classifying the individual wherein work pattern data used to classify the individual within at least one work pattern group comprises (a) an amount of interaction by the individual with other individuals, (b) a degree to which work performed by the individual is focused, or (c) a degree to which work performed by the individual adheres to a defined procedure; generating an office space layout wherein the office space layout for the individual comprises at least one of a workstation, a storage product, office furniture or office supply products selected according to the classification of the individual within the at least one work pattern group; wherein the at least one work pattern group comprises a first group, a second group, a third group, a fourth group, a fifth group, and a sixth group; wherein work characteristics associated with the first group include a tight work focus, highly protocoled work processes, and a low degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment; wherein work characteristics associated with the second group include a contextual work focus, moderately protocoled work processes, and a moderate degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment; wherein work characteristics associated with the third group include a wide work focus, logistics-oriented work processes, and a high degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment; wherein work characteristics associated with the fourth group include a wide work focus, highly variable work processes, and a high degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment; wherein work characteristics associated with the fifth group include a contextual work focus, moderately variable work processes, and a moderate degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment; wherein work characteristics associated with the sixth group include a tight work focus, well-defined work processes, and a low degree of interaction with other individuals in the work environment.