March 2009

Dear Members of the AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC):

As we navigate our way through 2009, our profession is faced with an incredible set of practice management challenges: dwindling backlogs; increasing competition for fewer projects; retaining top-performing staff amidst a shrinking economy; adopting new delivery methods and integrating technological advances; negotiating fees and contract terms in a buyers' market; leveraging in-house resources; bridging generational differences; planning ownership and leadership transitions; and forging new types of strategic alliances. The list goes on.

The AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community, under the leadership of a five-member Advisory Group, is committed to helping our members face these challenges by providing resources, advice and guidance and to elevating the profession by promoting the sharing of tools, resources and best practices. As the 2009 chair, I thank you for your membership in the PMKC. I also would like to bring you up to speed on PMKC's accomplishments for 2008 and inform you of our plans for this year.

2009 Plans and Activities

• PM Events at the AIA 2009 National Convention
  Taking place in my home town of San Francisco, the PMKC will once again have a large presence at the Convention, including a Practice Management Knowledge Community lunchtime seminar on Saturday, May 2 with keynote speaker Mahadev Raman of ARUP, who will highlight how emerging technologies are changing the way design professionals practice.
  
  Here are just a few of the other sessions and events that touch on the many aspects of practice management:
  
  W03 Project Finance for Principals and Project Managers: Project Management in an Increasingly Diverse Environment
  04/29/09 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., $155, 3.75 LUs
  
  W34 Implementing Process Analysis and Appraisal Skills to Improve Your Service and Deliverables HSW
  04/29/09 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m., $155, 3.75 LUs
  
  S51 New Technological Tools-Can They Replace Intuition?: Practice Management Knowledge Community Luncheon
  05/02/09 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., $65, 1.5 LUs
  
  For a more complete list of PMKC-sponsored seminars and workshops, visit the 2009 AIA National Convention KC Events site.
  
  
• New Task Force Subcommittees
  PMKC has just issued a Call for Volunteers for two important initiatives. The first, under the direction of Advisory Group member Ray Kogan, AIA, is a Practice Management Toolkit initiative to build an on-line toolkit to assist AIA members in various areas of architectural practice.
  
  The second, under the direction of Advisory Group member Marjorie Callahan, AIA, is a Practice Management Outreach subcommittee to help discover, gather, review, organize and disseminate practice management knowledge among architects and their strategic partners through webinars, podcasts, articles, speaking engagements, national and local component workshops, and other medium.
  
  We encourage you to share your knowledge, wisdom, insights and experience by volunteering to participate in one or both of these important initiatives. Please review the Call for Volunteers for more information or to submit your application.
  

• Changing Times | Time for Change: Practice, Productivity and Effectiveness
  Chicago | September 24–26, 2009
  This conference will provide architects the perspective, strategies and tactics necessary to compete effectively in an accelerating and complex world. Mark your calendar and check the Conference Web site for updates.

• Practice Management Web Seminar Series
  Begun in 2008, this web seminar series explores topics to help you more effectively run your practice. Check the PMKC Web site for information about upcoming presentations.

• PMDigest eNewsletter
  Each issue provides access to relevant articles, case studies, podcasts and face-to-face learning opportunities. In 2009, we are introducing more interactive sections and opportunities for input by PMKC members, as well as reaching out reach out to allied organizations for both content and as a means of disseminating this valuable resource. Watch for our upcoming issue about management strategies during a recession.

• Collaboration with other AIA Committees
  PMKC advisory group members are actively collaborating with the AIA Small Practice Practitioners Knowledge Community, AIA's Integrated Practice Discussion Group (IPDiG), and a newly created Small Firm Work Group.

2008 Accomplishments

• Webinars
  PMKC launched a successful series of web seminars last year, including the following that you can access by clicking on these links:
  
  Principal-Directed Business Development
  
  Lessons From the Dog Whisperer: Avoiding the Project Red Zone
  Earn 1 LU for watching this recording! Visit the Peer Review Web site.

• AIA 2008 National Convention
  The PMKC had an extensive presence at the 2008 AIA Convention, including participation and/or sponsoring of eleven seminars and workshops. Our traditional PMKC lunch, with keynote speaker Dr. Richard Farson, provided an opportunity to network with fellow PMKC members.

• Practice Management Digest eNewsletter
  Our quarterly eNewsletter continued to serve members by providing resources and information that directly impact the user's professional practice. Each of the issues published in 2008 addressed a different practice management theme such as knowledge management, quality and leadership.

More information about the above-mentioned programs can be found on the PMKC Web site. If you have any questions or comments, or wish to become more involved in PMKC, please email practicemanagement@aia.org.

With best regards,

Michael Strogoff, AIA
2009 Chair, AIA Practice Management Advisory Group