You nailed me as a knowledge worker
On the Work Literacy blog Michele Martin posted on a paper written by Allison Kid. The thing I find interesting about the post is that many of the characteristics fit me to a T.
1. Diversity of Output
Knowledge workers solve problems and generate outputs largely by resort to structures internal to themselves rather than by resort to external rules or procedures. In other words, each knowledge worker develops a different internal “configuration” based on changes wrought in their thinking and outlook by the situations they have encountered, the information they have absorbed and the particular way they have made sense of these. . .
Unfortunately, many corporate software programs aim to level or standardise the differences between individual workers. In supporting knowledge workers, we should be careful to provide tools which enable diversification of individuals’ outputs (my emphasis)
2. Low Dependence on Filed Information
Knowledge workers also rarely consult their filed information when in their oftlces. They do make a lot of notes, both in meetings and when trying to sort out their thinking on their own but many of these notes are discarded once the ideas have been worked out or translated into a proper report. . .
We may have been fooled into thinking that knowledge workers write things down because they need an external memory store, whereas in many cases, it may be the graphological act itself which is important [4, 14]. (my emphasis)
3. Importance of Spatial Layout and Materials
Many knowledge workers have cluttered work spaces (you should see my desk right now), but are extremely concerned if someone messes with that space. According to this research, that’s because this “muddle” actually serves several roles for them:
- As a holding pattern–“It seems that knowledge workers use physical space, such as desks or floors, as a temporary holding pattern for inputs and ideas which they cannot yet categorise or even decide how they might use [12]. Filing is uncomfortable for them because they cannot reliably say when they will want to use a particular piece of information or to which of their future outputs it will relate.”
- As a form of language–The physical act of seeing things, moving them around, etc. helps them make sense of the items.
- As contextual cues–”Many of the workers reported that first thing in the morning, or after any interruption in their thought (like a ‘phone call), they have the “where was 1?” problem in a complex and ill-defined space of ideas. The layout of physical materials on their desk gives them powerful and immediate contextual cues to recover a complex set of threads without difficulty and delay.”
- As demonstrable output–“Piles of papers on desks are also important as tangible objects to which workers can point to show others how much progress they have made. One of the problems for a knowledge worker is that their productivity is difficult to measure and often their end-effect on the company is intangible, so they seem to use paper as a tangible record of their contributions.”
I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me when things get rearranged either in my physical or digital workspace. Digitally I use wikis and and browser tabs to maintain my digital frame of mind to be able to continue working on various threads of work and to be able to quickly switch from one role to another and be productive in the moment.
This information is amazing to me because I thought I was just weird this way. Turns out I am boringly predictable but this gives me insight into how I can help others solve problems similar to those that I face constantly.
