How might General Assembly redesign its campus spaces to foster more collaboration among students in different programs?

Introduction

General Assembly's campus spaces play a crucial role in shaping the learning experience for students across various programs. To foster more collaboration among these diverse groups, we need to reimagine these spaces with a focus on interaction, flexibility, and shared resources. I'll approach this challenge by first understanding our users and their needs, then analyzing pain points in the current setup, and finally proposing innovative solutions to enhance cross-program collaboration.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions

• Looking at the product context, I'm thinking about the diversity of programs offered at General Assembly. Could you provide more information on the range of programs and their typical duration?

Why it matters: Understanding the variety and length of programs helps in designing spaces that cater to different collaboration needs. Expected answer: GA offers a mix of full-time immersive programs (10-12 weeks) and part-time courses (8-10 weeks) across various tech disciplines. Impact on approach: Would influence the design of flexible spaces that can accommodate both short-term and long-term collaborative projects.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about the current level of interaction between students from different programs. Can you share any data on existing cross-program collaboration or student feedback on this topic?

Why it matters: Helps identify the baseline and potential gaps in current collaboration efforts. Expected answer: Limited interaction outside of organized events, with students expressing interest in more cross-program opportunities. Impact on approach: Would focus on creating both structured and spontaneous collaboration opportunities in the redesigned spaces.

• Thinking about the company's alignment, how does fostering more collaboration align with General Assembly's broader educational goals and market positioning?

Why it matters: Ensures that the redesign aligns with the company's strategic objectives. Expected answer: Increased collaboration aligns with GA's goal to prepare students for real-world, cross-functional work environments. Impact on approach: Would emphasize creating spaces that mimic professional work environments and foster interdisciplinary skills.

• Considering external factors, how do General Assembly's current campus spaces compare to those of competitors or leading tech companies that GA graduates might work for?

Why it matters: Helps benchmark the redesign against industry standards and expectations. Expected answer: Some competitors have more modern, collaborative spaces that better reflect current tech workplace trends. Impact on approach: Would incorporate elements from cutting-edge tech workspaces to better prepare students for their future work environments.