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Who We Are

The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:

1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.

2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.

3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.

Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (less than 10 employees), which equates to 14,459 small firms within the organization.

~26.8% = sole practitioners = 5,173

~33.5% = 1-5 employees = 6,459

~14.7% = 5-10 employees = 2,827

For context, small firms share of staff is 16.0% and share of billings is 12.0%

We need to find ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do.

   

  

  • 1.  Practice Management Software Tools?

    Posted 05-02-2014 04:30 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Firm Round Table and Practice Management Member Conversations .
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    I've recently joined a 7-person firm that might be ready to leap into more sophisticated and effective practice management software tools. I'm interested in knowing what you all are using for the following and how well they work for you:

    1. A project tracking/reporting tool linked to a project database with a dashboard that informs all team members of projects coming in the future; status, deadlines and progress toward target budgets/profits for projects currently in design and production (and more importantly, schedule changes); status of projects in permitting, bidding, construction and close-out phases. (I've used Microsoft Project for some of these functions in the past, but that software is now priced out of reach.)

    2. A planning tool that can help us forecast workforce needs. (I believe Microsoft Project can help with this function, but that software is now priced out of reach.)

    3. A cartoon set planning tool that can be used from design through bidding to plan out the drawings to be created, support assignment of drawing tasks, support project changes and track completion.

    Are you using this kind of software? Did you create your own, buy something ready-made or adapt something designed for other purposes (such as contracting firms or CADD/BIM)? Does the data reside on the office server or on the cloud for access by consultants or by firm team members in the field?

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    Sean Catherall, AIA
    Dave Robinson Architects
    Salt Lake City, Utah
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  • 2.  RE:Practice Management Software Tools?

    Posted 05-05-2014 05:45 PM
    Take a look at my suggestions on the Project Management round table.

    Summarized: Kidasa's "Milestones Professional" for scheduling, perhaps augmented by a whiteboard.

    PDF markup tool for the funnybook plus.

    -------------------------------------------
    Joel Niemi AIA
    Principal
    Snohomish WA
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    Original Message