Definition: Asynchronous Work

Asynchronous work is a type of collaboration and communication within a team where members are not required to work or be online at the same time. This method of working allows for great flexibility and autonomy, which can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. In this article, we'll explore in detail what asynchronous working is, its pros and cons, and how flex office management tools like BeeMyFlex can help teams work asynchronously.

What is asynchronous work?

Asynchronous work is a method of collaboration and communication that allows team members to work and communicate at different times. This means that each team member can work at their own pace and on their own schedule, which can be particularly beneficial for distributed teams or for teams working in different time zones. According to a Gartner study, by 2024, 75% of companies will have employees who work asynchronously at least part of the time (Source: Gartner, "Future of Work Trends: Prepare for the Impact of the Post-COVID- 19 Workplace", 2020).

Asynchronous work is often contrasted with synchronous work, where team members must work and communicate in real time. While synchronous work can be beneficial for certain tasks and teams, asynchronous work can provide greater flexibility and autonomy, which can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. According to a study by Buffer, 90% of remote workers say they prefer to work asynchronously rather than working in real time (Source: Buffer, "State of Remote Work 2019", 2019).

Benefits and dangers of asynchronous work

The benefits of asynchronous work are numerous. First, it allows for great flexibility and autonomy, which can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. According to a FlexJobs study, 65% of remote workers say they are more productive when working from home than outside of it (Source: FlexJobs, "The State of Remote Work 2018", 2018). Additionally, asynchronous work allows working with distributed teams and teams working in different time zones, which can be particularly beneficial for companies with offices in different locations.

However, asynchronous work also has disadvantages. First, it may be more difficult to maintain clear and effective communication between team members. According to a Gartner study, teams working asynchronously are more likely to experience communication and collaboration issues than teams working synchronously (Source: Gartner, "Future of Work Trends: Prepare for the Impact of the Post- COVID-19 Workplace", 2020). Additionally, asynchronous work can lead to increased workload for managers and team leaders, who must ensure that all team members are on the same page and working toward same objectives.

In short

Asynchronous work is a method of collaboration and communication that allows team members to work and communicate at different times. This method of working offers great flexibility and autonomy, which can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction. However, there are also downsides to asynchronous work, such as communication and collaboration issues. Flex office management tools, such as BeeMyFlex, can help teams work asynchronously by providing a platform for real-time communication and collaboration.