Firm Management

The Firm Management category is about financial models, architectural design fees, other financial issues, risk management, planning, and tools for managing the firm.

Architekwiki

Example, Fees, Finances, Productivity, Tool, AI

I Built an App. No, Really.

Example, Fees, Finances, Productivity, Tool, AI

How I used Perplexity Computer to build a Design Budgeting app - and you can too.

Example, Fees, Finances, Productivity, Tool, AI

Example, Risk, Fees, Finances, Construction, Akbok

Construction Administration Economics for Architects

Example, Risk, Fees, Finances, Construction, Akbok

Small-firm architects routinely lose money on Construction Administration. Learn the fee protection strategies that protect your time and your bottom line.

Example, Risk, Fees, Finances, Construction, Akbok

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

Project Delivery Methods: Part 3 - The Hybrids

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

Sometimes the project delivery method is a hybrid of methods or has a special circumstance to address. Some guidance for Architects.

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

Process, Risk, Planning, Profitability, Construction, Clients

How Small-Firm Architects Can Lead Clients to Better Project Delivery

Process, Risk, Planning, Profitability, Construction, Clients

When design-bid-build isn’t right, small-firm architects can guide clients to better project delivery methods. Learn how to become your client’s key advocate to negotiate the options.

Process, Risk, Planning, Profitability, Construction, Clients

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

Project Delivery Methods: Part 1 - The Categories

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

There are about a dozen architectural project delivery methods, but there are only two fundamental categories. Each category has multiple contract options. It is the contract type that gives the project delivery method its name.

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

Project Delivery Methods: Part 2 - The Contract Options

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

On architectural projects the contracts that are used differentiate one project delivery method from the other.

Process, Planning, Design, Construction, Code, Capability

Example, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

Project Delivery 101

Example, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

The Project Delivery Methods most frequently used by Architects with some PROs and CONs for your consideration.

Example, Planning, Design, Construction, Capability

Example, Process, Risk

Fessing Up - Your Chance To Build Trust

Example, Process, Risk

When you make a mistake as an architect, the ramifications can get alarming very quickly.

Example, Process, Risk

Process, Planning, Growth

Preparation Beats Planning: Building Agile Small Architecture Firms

Process, Planning, Growth

Build an agile small architecture firm through preparation-focused systems that adapt to changes.

Process, Planning, Growth

Planning, People, Career, Architects

Architecting - Being or Doing

Planning, People, Career, Architects

Is being an Architect ‘better’ than architecting?

Planning, People, Career, Architects

Productivity, Audio

Time Concepts

Productivity, Audio

I have studied time management a lot over my career. I needed to. I can slack off with best of them. I’m a natural.

Productivity, Audio

Example, Finances, Planning, Productivity, Audio

2 Rules Of Thumb For Architects To Allocate Time And Money

Example, Finances, Planning, Productivity, Audio

Managing time and money effectively is critical to running an architectural practice profitably.

Example, Finances, Planning, Productivity, Audio

AI, Profitability, Code, Detail, Design, Process

NotebookLM: A Solution for Architectural Wikis

AI, Profitability, Code, Detail, Design, Process

Google’s new NotebookLM is one of the first AI tools that makes it pretty simple to build a Wiki for yourself or your architectural firm.

AI, Profitability, Code, Detail, Design, Process

Example, Code, Productivity, AI

DeepResearch for Architects

Example, Code, Productivity, AI

Architects have questions every day and AI is ideal for getting the answers.

Example, Code, Productivity, AI

AI Poll Results

What do Architects think about AI? Poll results.

Planning, Productivity, AI

Small-Firm Architects and AI in 2025

Planning, Productivity, AI

This post discusses the impact of AI for small-firm architects.

Planning, Productivity, AI

Productivity, Book

The Six Thinking Hats

Productivity, Book

This is one easy book that anyone can benefit from, including Architects.

Productivity, Book

Example, Process, Finances

Are Salaries Fair

Example, Process, Finances

Are salaries fair. Here is how Architects can deal with fairness.

Example, Process, Finances

Example, Process, Fees, Finances

How Much Are You Worth An Hour?

Example, Process, Fees, Finances

An IRL way of setting hourly rates for Architects and other consultants.

Example, Process, Fees, Finances

Example, Process, Fees, Productivity

How Do You Calculate Fees?

Example, Process, Fees, Productivity

Learn how to calculate an appropriate fee for nearly any architectural project - large or small.

Example, Process, Fees, Productivity

Example, Process, Documentation

Project Forms

Example, Process, Documentation

Project Forms close the gap between project management and business management for small-firm architects.

Example, Process, Documentation

Process, Planning

Building Success: A New Approach to Architectural Goals

Process, Planning

How useful are vision, mission, goals to the small-firm architect

Process, Planning

Process, Fees, Finances, Productivity

Architect’s Best Practices for Getting Paid

Process, Fees, Finances, Productivity

Thoughts and advice on small-firm architects’ invoicing methods.

Process, Fees, Finances, Productivity

Process, Planning, Productivity, Profitability, Growth

Another Reason Architectural Firms Are Small

Process, Planning, Productivity, Profitability, Growth

Architects need this strategy to grow, endure, and profit.

Process, Planning, Productivity, Profitability, Growth

Finances, Productivity

Downsize Your Accounting

Finances, Productivity

Why your architectural firm cannot afford accounting.

Finances, Productivity

Process, Planning, Productivity

Delegating

Process, Planning, Productivity

Delegating is key to business success. Take my advice on how to do it right.

Process, Planning, Productivity

Example, Planning, Productivity

Organizing Your Files In The Cloud

Example, Planning, Productivity

If you are happy with your way of storing your files, then this won't help you. If not, you may get an idea or two here.

Example, Planning, Productivity

Example, Process, Planning

Systems vs Goals

Example, Process, Planning

I have disappointed myself for years with my goals. Dilbert showed me a better way.

Example, Process, Planning

Productivity

REWORK

Productivity

A really helpful book for everyone, especially Architects.

Productivity

Example, Process, Finances, Planning

Budgeting For Expenses

Example, Process, Finances, Planning

Managing expenses is key to having profits.

Example, Process, Finances, Planning

Firm Management Blog

Resources

Financial model workbook online resource for small architect firms provided by Architekwiki

FeeCalcs buildilng an appropriate fee for architectural projects free online resource for small architect firms provided by Architekwiki

Screenshot of a desk app interface for design budgeting for architects, showing project details, fee data, set-asides for profit, consultants, contract labor, and other expenses, with a total fee of $1,000,000.

(All Videos)

Videos

Financial Model Intro

Architekwiki

I Built an App. No, Really.

How I used Perplexity Computer to build a Design Budgeting app - and you can too.

T12M Charting Tool

The beauty of the T12M chart is its ’early warning system’ effect.

Kolbe

Why you might want to measure your MO - and those of your design team.

Your Billing Overhead Factor

Your BOF is the key to your organization's financial model. Here is what it is all about.

Simple Owner-Architect Contract Templates for Architects

These templates are masters of three simple, customizable contract agreements.

Firm Management

Firm Management Blog

Resources

Videos

Tools