EXPERIMENTS
Test Before You Invest: De-Risk Your Workplace Innovation
The Challenge
"It's really hard in workplace situations to try anything new because you're worried that whatever you deliver has to be perfect right when you deliver it."
Companies want to innovate their workplace experience but face critical barriers:
→ Perfectionism Pressure: First-day delivery must be flawless
→ High Stakes: Fear of costly mistakes and six-month rollbacks
→ Internal Resistance: Employees and leadership pushback on untested ideas
→ Visibility Risk: On-site testing creates unwanted attention and pressure
The Workshape Solution
We developed one of the most robust workplace experimentation programs in the world, at scale, and now we’re bringing that approach to your workplace. Our approach removes the risk from workplace innovation through structured, research based testing.
What We Offer
Lightweight Experiments
For companies with limited time and budget
→ Single-variable testing (furniture, layouts, technologies)
→ Crowdsourced multi-company studies
→ Minimal engagement, maximum insights
→ Data-driven recommendations
Custom Experimentation Programs
For companies ready to invest in systematic innovation
→ Off-site or on-site experimental spaces
→ Hypothesis development and testing protocols
→ Scientific method implementation
→ Results analysis and reporting
Full-Scale Experimentation Labs
For organizations committed to continuous workplace innovation
→ Dedicated experimentation spaces
→ Ongoing testing programs
→ Team training and capability building
→ Long-term ROI measurement
Our Proven Process
1. Constraint Analysis We first understand your unique ecosystem - budget, timeline, organizational complexity, and political dynamics.
2. Hypothesis Development Clear, measurable objectives aligned with your business mission and biggest opportunities.
3. Controlled Testing Scientific method implementation with tight parameters and consistent measurement.
4. Disruption Minimization Strategic location selection and access control to avoid negative attention.
5. Results & Recommendations Transparent findings regardless of outcome - "failure" is just data that moves you forward.
Why Experimentation Matters
Unexpected Benefits We've Seen:
→ Talent Attraction: PhD-level candidates drawn to innovation culture
→ Design Partner Engagement: Furniture companies and design firms want to participate
→ Team Development: Science-based thinking becomes organizational capability
→ Competitive Advantage: Faster path to workplace transformation
Real-World Testing Examples
Indoor vs. Outdoor Work: Discovered outdoor work was unanimously preferred
Space Layouts: Tested proximity effects on collaboration
Materials & Finishes: Validated user preferences before large investments
Working Modes: Explored new styles of team interaction
Investment Models
Shared Experiments: Multiple non-competing companies split costs for common insights
Dedicated Testing: Custom experiments for your specific needs and space
Fractional Programs: Ongoing experimentation capability without full infrastructure investment
Success Metrics
Speed to Decision: Faster path from concept to implementation
Risk Reduction: Data-backed decisions vs. gut feelings
Cost Avoidance: Prevent expensive mistakes through pre-testing
Employee Buy-in: Evidence-based changes reduce resistance
Innovation Culture: Build systematic capability for ongoing improvement
Getting Started
Phase 1: Constraint assessment and opportunity identification
Phase 2: Hypothesis development and experiment design
Phase 3: Testing execution and data collection
Phase 4: Results analysis and implementation planning
The Bottom Line
"Learn how to fail fast, so you can move forward more quickly."
Transform your workplace innovation from risky guesswork to confident, data-driven decisions. We help you discover what works before you invest in what doesn't.
Ready to test your way to workplace success?
Contact Workshape to explore how experimentation can accelerate your workplace transformation while minimizing risk and maximizing outcomes.