AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index
The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is a leading monthly economic indicator that uses proprietary AIA data to predict nonresidential construction activity 9–12 months ahead.
The ABI: A leading monthly economic indicator
The ABI is derived from AIA’s Work-on-the-Boards survey, which has gathered data on shifts in billings from architectural firm leaders for over 20 years. This data is a trusted tool used by the design and construction industry and other firms to predict and track movements in the market.
Investment groups like Wells Fargo, media outlets, firms of all sizes, and business leaders rely on the ABI to assess business conditions and predict and track the market.
Use the ABI to support budgeting and demand planning, benchmark portfolio performance, inform strategic planning, and assess and predict business decisions.
Subscribe to the ABI
Get the ABI delivered to your inbox monthly plus access to historical data for $369/year.
AIA national members, email us to subscribe for free.
For the second consecutive month, business conditions remained weak at firms in all regions of the country except the Midwest, where modest growth was seen.
Nearly one third of firms report an uptick in significantly delayed projects over the past six months
Firms are increasingly concerned about managing the costs of running their firm in 2024
Business conditions at continued to soften in October 2023, with the ABI score declining to 44.3. Read more & subscribe to the Architecture Billings Index.
Business conditions at architecture firms worsened in September with an ABI score of 44.8—the lowest score reported since December 2020—indicating a significant increase in the share of firms
ABI release dates
Future ABI release dates: January 24, February 21, March 20, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 21, September 18, October 23, November 20, December 18
How to use the ABI
From strategic planning to determining business cycle shifts to timing in a changing economy, here are three examples of how companies are using the ABI.
- ADD Inc., a multidisciplinary design firm with 200 employees, uses the ABI to help prepare for market fluctuations and ramp-up hiring.
- Johnson Controls, which provides building services, looks to ABI for an early picture of construction trends to use in resource planning and stockholder guidance—and to identify expansion opportunities.
- One of the largest privately held family-owned real estate development and construction firms, Gilbane Inc., finds the ABI vital to help manage budgets, prepare for market movements, manage RFPs, and seek leads.
Maximize the value you get out of the ABI with these reports
Join the Work-on-the-Boards panel
Are you an architecture firm owner or principal?
Participate in our monthly survey to compare your firm to others, track the economy and local business conditions, and use data to target business opportunities.
Principals and partners at AIA member firms can share their data for a free subscription.
About Deltek
Deltek is the home of AIA MasterSpec®, powered by Deltek Specpoint. Deltek helps A&E firms boost efficiencies while improving collaboration and accuracy.