Office electronics is driving the change in the modern office, but is neither the solution nor the source of office problems. Office change will continue at an increasing rate and office planning must start with a holistic consideration of the four basic office elements and their interaction if it is to be successful. These elements are: technology/computers, facilities/furniture, work/job function and social/people issues. Increasing office technology will result in more computers and other hardware directly in the workstation. Paper growth will continue and communication technology will increase in importance and sophistication. Buildings will be less able to support the increasing demands for automation in many ways, including lighting, wiring, cabling, heating, cooling and privacy. Furniture will assume more of these functions to save building renovation costs. Furniture systems must retain maximum flexibility to adapt to these changing needs. Automated information systems will allow decentralization of the office. Total office ergonomics will become increasingly important. Job functions will change with automation. The work force will require fewer clerical and more 'knowledge' workers. Jobs must be redesigned to account for boredom and to make better use of a worker's potential. Workers will need to rehumanize the workplace in the face of increasing high technology. Management needs to view workers as a valued investment, which will lead to improved relations. Unless worker health and safety concerns are adequately addressed, increased union and legislative involvement is likely as the white-collar work force grows. The rapid office changes we now see offer great opportunities to increase worker effectiveness, but several conditions must be met. (1) Senior management must be active in developing office automation plans because of the potential for huge costs and benefits. (2) Human resource specialists must be involved in the planning process to ensure that proper orientation and training are given and to gain maximum advantage from office changes. The impact of the changes on corporate culture must be integrated into the planning process. (3) Financial resources must be committed to update office systems. (4) A holistic consideration of the four basic elements of the office is critical to the successful anticipation of future needs. (5) Change is continual and the office plan must be updated. (6) A team of specialists must assist senior management in developing, implementing and updating the plan.
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