Try it before you buy it: Exploring the power of experiments in the workplace

Matt Scholand, Menlo Innovations

17 years of running experiments

• Babies in the workspace
  • Parents Room - playpen, fridge, rocker
  • Clients act better when there’s a baby in the room

Define It

• Identify a need
• Try the simplest thing
• Determine success metrics (if that’s easy)
• Time to check-in

Run It

• Introduce it
• Enlist others
• Gather data (minimalistic)
• Document and share findings (minimalistic)

Reflect on It

• Idenfity what worked and what didn’t
• Make changes
• Re-run

Close it or Keep it

• Let them fizzle out
• Let them evolve
• Incorporate what works

Risks and Obstacles

• Fear of failure
• Fear of punishment
• Fear or change
• Lack of trust
• “Never gonna work”

Find collaborators

• Who is feeling the pain?
• Who will benefit?