Microsoft produced a guide called the WorkLab Guide that discusses emerging ideas about how we work with a dedicated section on unlocking asynchronous collaboration.  

According to Microsoft, the future of work requires leaders to examine the role of “togetherness” when working in one of the four quadrants of their hybrid model. The model includes: Asynchronous Apart, Asynchronous Together, Synchronous Apart and Synchronous Together.

The guide outlines the type of work best suited to each of these quadrants with very practical tips for communicating best practices to employees in order to avoid burnout. One suggestion was to include subject line messaging like “NOT URGENT, CAN BE ANSWERED TOMORROW,” to combat the always on culture.

This guide is important to the conversation on asynchronous work because it demonstrates that async is becoming mainstream and many larger organizations like Microsoft see the benefits of greater autonomy and having time for deep work.