The world of work will change dramatically over the next decade as organisations adopt new operating structures and collaborative technologies, according to Gartner. The research group makes the following 10 key predictions:

1. De-routinisation of work

Non-routine activities – ie ones that cannot be fully automated – will be a major source of added value.

2. Work swarms

One of these is “swarming”, a work style characterised by a temporary flurry of collective activity by anyone available who can add value.

3. Weak links

In swarms, many individuals may not know each other, or only barely via weak links.

4. Working with the collective

Informal groups of external interested parties will form around organisations. Smart execs will learn they cannot control these “collectives”, merely influence them.

5. Work sketch-ups

Non-routine processes will be highly informal; their process models will be simple “sketch-ups” created on the fly.

6. Spontaneous work

Swarms will proactively seek out new opportunities.

7. Simulation and experimentation

Instead of using tools like spreadsheets, people will interact with data and actively manipulate parameters that reshape the world they’re looking at.

8. Pattern sensitivity

Organisations will create groups specifically charged with detecting – and exploiting – divergent emerging patterns.

9. Hyperconnected

More work will occur across enterprise boundaries. This has implications for how IT supports or augments that work.

10. My place

Despite increasingly virtual workplaces, employees will still have a “place” where they work. Individuals will be available to work 24/7 and will need to manage the complexity created by overlapping work and personal demands.