[commandlinefan]

What experience has ever led you to believe that what software engineers like or dislike factors into how their work environments are set up? The Important People consider us, at best, a necessary nuisance.

[scottlu2]

I’ve seen the open plan sold as what engineers are asking for, but anecdotally I don’t see them asking for that, so I wonder what drives it. Does it attract people right out of college? (if so, it would be important for recruiting?)

[loco5niner]

It's cheap.

... at least in the short term (less building costs), but more expensive in the long term (less productivity, less happy employees).

The decision makers don't seem to care.

My company changed to an open office right before selling. It was a short-term money-making decision.