Digital distractions are prevalent in every office environment today. Whether it is the telephone, email, voicemail or instant messaging, people are bombarded with communiqué through-out their work day. At some point, one might begin to think that a person might get more work done if we were less connected to the world.

1. What are digital distractions?
2. How have digital distractions increased in an increasingly technological work environment?
3. How can businesses help reduce the impact of distraction?

Distraction to some, lifeline for others

For those whose job it is to manage and deliver information, these distractions are their lifeline to the world. They wouldn't be able to be as productive without digital communications. Managers would spend more time planning and conducting meetings, talking face-to-face with employees and be more involved moving around physically in general.

1. Are all digital distractions bad?
2. How does digital communication improve worker productivity?
3. When is using digital communication methods appropriate?

Software Designers Role in Minimizing Distraction

Distraction can also be caused by poor design in the software a person uses to get their job done. It is up to software designers to keep in mind that by encouraging usability studies and employing some "common sense" into their applications, they can go a long way in helping to eliminate the digital distraction common in many software programs today.

1. What are the most common types of distraction caused by software?
2. What can programmers do to help minimize distractions made to employees?
3. Name trends in software development which contribute to workplace distraction?
4. How does the workplace impact software design?
5. How can artificial intelligence play a role in minimizing software induced distractions?
6. Does distraction increase or decrease due to more complexity in software programs?

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