WaTech (Washington Technology Solutions) - Olympia
- BAR Group
- Apr 12, 2016
- 2 min read
Organization Summary
Check out their website here: watech.wa.gov or find out more about the building by reading this brief by Wright Runstand & Company. E-gov is a small unit within WaTech that has turned government upside down. Along with implementing a colorful, multi-functional, and flexible work-spaces, E-gov is now the first government known to experiment with a new form of management structure; Holacracy.
Features of the Workplace
Mixed work space, offering open and heads down space
Phone rooms
Breakout rooms with open layouts and light options
Lactation rooms
This unit has implemented a holacracy management style in lieu of hierarchical
Brittany's Blurbs...
If you want to see the possibilities that can be accomplished in government, please make your way over to WaTech. If you ask nicely, they would love to show off demonstrate their colorful, modern, and comfortable workplace. Cubicles, grey tones, and typical office furniture are defiantly a thing of the past in this office. Walking into this space made you completely forget you were in a government building and the cubicles next door disappeared. Even better, the supervisor allowed the employees the autonomy to rearrange and add elements to the space. The energy exuded by the staff was welcoming and it was evident they were proud of their community designed space. This space puts other offices to shame.
Amanda's Aspect...
This is exactly what WA State government needs! FUN! In the workplace! My favorite was their huge teddy bear, and there's a wall where all of the photos hang of people who have taken their photo with him! Their workspace was fun and innovative, with leafs hanging over their desk and Christmas lights! They had a space with books to borrow about workplace culture and innovative work places which really exemplifies that they want their staff to think outside of the box when it comes to physical space. The office has both quiet space and open space, with no more cubicles! It was so refreshing. After we did a brief tour we sat in the 'conference room' (which previously had an 'executive table and chairs') on some very comfortable rolling chairs and kicked our feet atop some move-able foot rests and chillaxed. We talked to Michael DeAngelo, Deputy Director of e-Government about WaTech culture and we got schooled on holacracy. That place was amazing. I think by the time we left we all agreed that we wanted to work there.
Rachel's Ramblings....
Am I at google?! Nope this is just WA Tech the most up and coming workplace in WA state. WA Tech is the ONLY government agency in the world practicing holacracy. A method of leadership that is premised on redistributing power in the organization to make structures more equal. Our tour guide Mike an Chuck had just finished a phone call to Amsterdam about their leadership styles. Cubicles were still in existence, but they were shortened and had windows.
