About the Architecture Billings Index

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a diffusion index derived from the monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey, conducted by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group. The ABI serves as a leading economic indicator that leads nonresidential construction activity by approximately 9-12 months. The indexes are developed from the monthly Work-on-the-Boards survey panel where participants are asked whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended. According to the proportion of respondents choosing each option, a score is generated, which represents an index value for each month.

The AIA White Paper, “Architecture Billings as a Leading Indicator of Construction: Analysis of the Relationship Between a Billings Index and Construction Spending,” (PDF) ran in the October 2005 issue of Business Economics, the journal of the National Association of Business Economics. The White Paper describes the history and development of the ABI; the analyses reported in the article are scheduled to be updated in 2009.

If you would like to subscribe to the ABI, please contact James Chu, Director of Research, (202) 626-8045 or jchu@aia.org.

About the Work-on-the-Boards Survey and Panel

Work-on-the-Boards is a monthly survey conducted by the AIA's Economics and Market Research group. The survey of firm principals and partners allows participants to track business conditions as they change. Participation enables you to compare your firm to others, track the economy and local business conditions, and use data to target business opportunities.

The panel is open to any AIA member who is principal/partner of their firm. The survey is administered completely online, and you will receive an invitation to participate the first week of each month. Participants also receive a special announcement before the report is available to the general public each month, in the AIArchitect.

If you are a firm principal or partner and would like to join the survey panel or for more information, please e-mail workontheboards@aia.org. You may also join the panel by completing the background information form.

Current issue:
Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Making Progress, But Still Short of Recovering

Last 6 months:
Architecture Firm Billings Remain Relatively Weak
Increased Inquiries Are Not Yet Translating to More Work
Pace of Decline in Billings at Architecture Firms Slows in July
Architecture Firm Billings Decline Sharply in June
Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Largely Unchanged in May
Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Remain Weak but Somewhat Encouraging in April

Upcoming Press Release Dates for 2009:
12/16