Induction: reasoning to establish general rules or conclusions drawn from facts or examples.Experiment and/or observation as benchmarks for testing hypotheses.Objective observation: Measurement and data (possibly although not necessarily using mathematics as a tool).They go on to define what scientific methodology entails and list the following characteristics: Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.

After digging a bit deeper, weвЂ™ve found the following definition of science from the good people at the Science Council. a good survey, or an intelligent consultancy offer). This definition didnвЂ™t quite feel all encompassing enough to usefully distinguish science from other forms of intellectual activity (e.g. And it does so through some sort of methods (вЂobservation and experimentвЂ™). So what is science, and how does it apply to the world of workplace? A simple google search brought up the following definition, which is a useful starting point: The fact that it is big data, that can be benchmarked against 200,000+ other employees who have also completed the survey, in our view doesnвЂ™t make it science either. The fact that a business is engaged in a workplace staff survey is data collection, but we would argue not science per se. So where is the science that the article promises? The fact that business leaders are recognising a new hot topic is not science.

The recently published Stoddart Review is arguing for exactly that and publications such as вЂ DonвЂ™t Worry About the RentвЂ are speaking the same language. The view that the physical design and layout of a workplace should not just be considered as cost factor, but as a lever to improve staff satisfaction, increase retention, foster collaboration and ultimately productivity is gaining traction. вЂњThe office layout proves that BCG is more concerned about people working effectively together, rather than achieving the highest occupational density.вЂќ In fact, Leesman CEO Tim Oldman is quoted in the article as saying: It also referenced the Leesman surveyВ which was used to assess views of staff on the pre-occupancy workplace, something that the client, BCG, was apparently keen to listen to.

It featured attractive pictures of the new office, and talked aboutВ the fact that the physical workspace is becoming recognised by business leaders as вЂњa tool in business performance and competitive advantageвЂќ. The article was subtitled вЂњPushing the art and science of workplace designвЂќ. A recent post on workplaceinsight, an online publication on the design and management of workplaces, which featured the new workplace designВ of management consultants BCG, got us thinking about the role of science in the workplace.

Scientific workplace 6 review