Day

I work at a 'design firm' that likes open spaces and a team environment. So all the Software Engineers are packed in their own ( large ) corner with a large, open workspace.

The Problem

This means that many people can come to you at any time and invade your workspace and/or environment ( a.k.a Senses, eyes, ears, nose... ).

The Solution

The SE Team made a small presentation for the rest of the staff. We gave that presentation and it explained the following basic principals.

• We get into 'The Zone', to be knocked out of 'The Zone' requires time to get back into 'The Zone'
• We need to have large amounts of time to just code.
• Email us before just stopping by.
• Try to be quite near our spaces.

The punch like is that the company makes money when we are productive.

This went over well because the values at the company stress 'Sharing your mind' and 'Honesty' and 'Productivity'. :-)

Night

All the Programmers/Sys Admins are in one room. Each basic team has thier own room, with a door.

The Problem

People don't respect the closed door.

The Solution

We put a white board up that explained how to reach us and what we were doing for them. And to 'please' respect this time.

It works because people want to know you're doing something for them and they'll be happy with the smallest update.

--
Casey
   I am a superhero.