Seeking advice on practice management? This new edition of RIBA’s (Royal Institute of British Architects) classic handbook brings guidance right up to date. It covers the full deck of management competencies, including how to run your finances, win work, employ people, operate your office, handle information, assure quality, and manage your risks.
In print for 50 years, this enduring reference book has been comprehensively restructured and modernised to reflect the latest changes in practice. Aimed at those who are already managing a design studio or setting up a practice, it provides advice on all aspects of practising architecture in the UK and is a core reference book for practitioners and students alike.
Divided into two parts, the first characterises and quantifies the business of designing buildings in the context of the construction industry. It outlines what it means to be a member of the architect profession and considers the trends that seem likely to influence its future direction.
The second part sets out the overlapping activities that together constitute practice management. A chapter on business strategy is followed by seven topic-specific chapters organised to:
- Distinguish between what you must do by law, what you should do to conform to professional codes of conduct, and what you might do to compete in the market
- Outline the most important management considerations
- Highlight the tactics and tools available to you
- Signpost useful resources and sources of more detailed information.
A must-have handbook for chartered members of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and ARB (Architects Registration Board) registered architects. The guidance accounts for architects’ duties under ARB’s Architects Code; and chartered members’ duties under the RIBA Code of Professional Conduct and chartered practices’ duties under the RIBA Code of Professional Practice.
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
1/ BUSINESS CONTEXT – what is the background business landscape?
1.1/ UK construction industry: what is the overall market context for practice management?
1.2/ UK building design practice: how is your sector characterised and what options do you have for operating in it?
1.3/ UK architectural professional governance: what does it mean to be an architect?
1.4/ Future trends affecting building design – what issues affecting practice management should you look out for?
2/ PRACTICE MANAGEMENT – how will you be successful?
2.1/ Business strategy: what do you want to achieve and how will you do it?
2.2/ Financial management: how will you make a profit?
2.3/ Winning Work: how will you win and retain the right clients?
2.4/ People management: how will you attract and retain the right staff?
2.5/ Operational management: how will you keep your office running smoothly?
2.6/ Information management: how will you capture, produce, manage, store, release Information and knowledge?
2.7/ Quality management: how will you ensure that your service is consistent, trustworthy and improves over time?
2.8/ Risk management: how will you manage your risks?
Afterword: Putting it all together
Biography
Matt Thompson has over 30 years’ experience in construction industry information, including many years working for RIBA Publishing. Since 2013 he has been a freelance consultant writer, researcher and editor, during which time he was a longstanding member of the RIBA’s Client Liaison Group and rapporteur for Innovate UK’s Transforming Construction Global Expert Mission to Japan.
