Practice Management Member Conversations

In my experience of having people in my charge post-pandemic, understanding the key drivers and trends is vital to ensure the balance of work and life are maintained. I love being in the office but not everyone does. So should we change? Check out this article to get a better understanding: HR Policy Trends By Hannah Brown, SHRM-SCP

This article reflects on the transformative journey of HR policies, particularly in the wake of the 2020 shift to remote work. The architectural community demonstrated resilience and adaptability as firms grappled with the challenges of isolation and a sudden shift to virtual collaboration. What stands out is our industry's commitment to reflection and innovation, exemplified by the extensive polling among staff to shape solutions for the hybrid work model. The article delves into the nuanced aspects of this hybrid approach, emphasizing the benefits of clear communication and the challenges faced by fully remote employees. Furthermore, it explores the evolving time-off policies that prioritize wellness, with a spotlight on longer-term support, especially for women in the industry. The discussion extends to the critical realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B), emphasizing the need for genuine, impactful initiatives over performative gestures.

As the architectural landscape embraces change, the question becomes: How can the industry continue to shape policies that foster flexibility, fairness, and diversity, ensuring resilience in the face of future challenges? Explore the full article HR Policy Trends for an insightful journey into the dynamic future of architectural HR policies.

Michael P., great points and good article. However, I wonder if the fast-paced developments of AI in architecture will result in the remote workers become nonentities (no longer employed) in medium and large firms and remote staff just not essential to project design, production, specs and delivery in architectural practices of those size firms.  I did not see the HR Policy Trends article addressing AI even in the current HR issues discussion.

I am interested in other AIA member perspectives of AI and its impact on the future of architecture.

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Michael Katzin, AIA
Johns Creek, GA
| Johns Creek Planning Commission |

Original Message:
Sent: 12-15-2023 12:00 PM
From: Michael Perez
Subject: Post Pandemic Trends in Our Firms

In my experience of having people in my charge post-pandemic, understanding the key drivers and trends is vital to ensure the balance of work and life are maintained. I love being in the office but not everyone does. So should we change? Check out this article to get a better understanding: HR Policy Trends By Hannah Brown, SHRM-SCP

This article reflects on the transformative journey of HR policies, particularly in the wake of the 2020 shift to remote work. The architectural community demonstrated resilience and adaptability as firms grappled with the challenges of isolation and a sudden shift to virtual collaboration. What stands out is our industry's commitment to reflection and innovation, exemplified by the extensive polling among staff to shape solutions for the hybrid work model. The article delves into the nuanced aspects of this hybrid approach, emphasizing the benefits of clear communication and the challenges faced by fully remote employees. Furthermore, it explores the evolving time-off policies that prioritize wellness, with a spotlight on longer-term support, especially for women in the industry. The discussion extends to the critical realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B), emphasizing the need for genuine, impactful initiatives over performative gestures.

As the architectural landscape embraces change, the question becomes: How can the industry continue to shape policies that foster flexibility, fairness, and diversity, ensuring resilience in the face of future challenges? Explore the full article HR Policy Trends for an insightful journey into the dynamic future of architectural HR policies.

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Michael Perez AIA
PMKC Leadership Group
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Michael K., what a great comment. I haven't seen any information yet on Ai replacing remote workers. Would love to see more on this topic. My research shows that Ai is being used "across HR functions like employee records management (78 percent), payroll processing and benefits administration (77 percent), recruitment and hiring (73 percent), performance management (72 percent), and onboarding new employees (69 percent)." [Source, "Ways Ai is Changing HR Departments," Gem Siocom, businessnewsdaily.com, November 20, 2023). According to Business Insider's Aaron Mok in a December 13, 2023 article, "Fully Remote Workers May be at the Risk of Being Replaced by Ai," jobs that involve primarily repetitive tasks are the most vulnerable. In another article, Business Insider notes the top 10 jobs likely to be replaced by Ai, architects were not on the list. Though I was surprised to see that graphic designers were... In Phil Bernstein's book, Machine Learning, he describes how the entire profession is vulnerable if we don't expand our "value proposition" and create our own database on building information that Ai can pull from. However, he doesn't cite remote workers as especially vulnerable.

Most firms I know of, post-pandemic, have implemented hybrid policies with some remote and some in-office personnel. A few of the AIA PMKC leaders have fully virtual practices, but interpersonal interaction in some form or another is part of their working model.

Can you share more on this topic? It would be great to expand everyone's thinking on the ways Ai will transform practice.

Thank you for your comment!

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Rebecca W.E. Edmunds AIA
President & CEO, r4 llc
Roanoke VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-18-2023 07:42 PM
From: Michael L. Katzin AIA
Subject: Post Pandemic Trends in Our Firms

Michael P., great points and good article. However, I wonder if the fast-paced developments of AI in architecture will result in the remote workers become nonentities (no longer employed) in medium and large firms and remote staff just not essential to project design, production, specs and delivery in architectural practices of those size firms.  I did not see the HR Policy Trends article addressing AI even in the current HR issues discussion.

I am interested in other AIA member perspectives of AI and its impact on the future of architecture.

------------------------------
Michael Katzin, AIA
Johns Creek, GA
| Johns Creek Planning Commission |

Original Message:
Sent: 12-15-2023 12:00 PM
From: Michael Perez
Subject: Post Pandemic Trends in Our Firms

In my experience of having people in my charge post-pandemic, understanding the key drivers and trends is vital to ensure the balance of work and life are maintained. I love being in the office but not everyone does. So should we change? Check out this article to get a better understanding: HR Policy Trends By Hannah Brown, SHRM-SCP

This article reflects on the transformative journey of HR policies, particularly in the wake of the 2020 shift to remote work. The architectural community demonstrated resilience and adaptability as firms grappled with the challenges of isolation and a sudden shift to virtual collaboration. What stands out is our industry's commitment to reflection and innovation, exemplified by the extensive polling among staff to shape solutions for the hybrid work model. The article delves into the nuanced aspects of this hybrid approach, emphasizing the benefits of clear communication and the challenges faced by fully remote employees. Furthermore, it explores the evolving time-off policies that prioritize wellness, with a spotlight on longer-term support, especially for women in the industry. The discussion extends to the critical realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B), emphasizing the need for genuine, impactful initiatives over performative gestures.

As the architectural landscape embraces change, the question becomes: How can the industry continue to shape policies that foster flexibility, fairness, and diversity, ensuring resilience in the face of future challenges? Explore the full article HR Policy Trends for an insightful journey into the dynamic future of architectural HR policies.

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Michael Perez AIA
PMKC Leadership Group
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