Management for the small design firm : handling your practice, personnel, finances, and projects : lessons for architects and interior designers from fellow professionals / Jim Morgan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Morgan, Jim, 1934-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Architectural practice--United States--Management.

Architectural practice.

United States.

Management.

Design services--United States--Management.

Design services.

Physical Description:

176 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Whitney Library of Design, [1998]

Summary:

Using studies of twenty successful studios, this excellent guide addresses all concerns of design firms. 100 color and 50 b&w illustrations.

Contents:

Thoughts on Management for the Small Design Firm 8

What Exactly Is Management, Anyway? 8

Why Differentiate Design Management from Other Specialties? 10

Do Designers Need to Pay More Attention to Management? 11

How Does Downsizing Affect Architects and Designers? 12

Is Computerization the Solution

or Just the Next Problem? 13

What Is the Future for the Design Professions? 14

Chapter 1 Practice Management 15

Analyzing Your Firm's Strengths and Weaknesses 16

Marketing as an Executive Function 18

Specialization or Diversity? An Executive Decision 19

Follow-Up and Client Cultivation 20

Public Relations as a Marketing Strategy 22

Selling Your Professional Services: A Crucial Executive Function 23

Methods of Compensation: A Brief, Direct Proposal 24

Negotiating the Fee 25

Securing a Big Enough Retainer 27

Chapter 2 Human Resources Management 29

People and the Designer 29

Becoming an Employer 30

Creating and Choosing Your Staff 32

Managing Staff Development 33

Options for Organizing Your Firm 34

Management Styles 36

Basics of Good Management 37

Managing Everybody Else, Especially Clients 40

Chapter 3 Financial Management 44

Profit and the Small Design Firm 44

What It Takes to Finance a Design Practice 45

Capital Formation and Maintenance 46

Borrowing Money and Meeting Debt Obligations 48

The Business Plan: Crux of Sound Financial Management 49

Obtaining Professional Advice on Financial Management 50

Professional Insurance and the Small Design Firm 51

Partnerships, Professional Corporations, and Other Options 53

Electronic Media and Financial Management 54

Planning for Retirement 57

Chapter 4 Project Management 59

Taking the Client's Schedule and Budget Seriously 59

Contract Preparation as an Executive Responsibility 60

The Design Executive's Role in Contract Administration 63

Managing Design Contracts 64

Facilitated Decision-Making 67

Documenting the Contract Administration Process 69

Project Management and Electronic Media 70

Management of Particularly Sensitive Issues 73

Chapter 5 Design-Practice Dialogues 75

Chicago Associates Planners and Architects (CAPA) 75

Croxton Collaborative, P.C. 82

Freya Block Design, Inc. 89

Garth Sheriff + Associates 94

Glenn Garrison, Inc. 101

Harden Van Arnam, Architects 107

Hughes Group, Ltd. 114

Janice Stevenor Dale Associates 121

Judith Stockman and Associates 127

Laura Bohn Design Associates, Inc. (LBDA) 134

Lee Stout, Inc. 140

Michael Pyatok and Associates 147

Roberta Washington Architects, P.C. 154

Rockwell Associates 161

William B. Koster and Associates 167.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 173) and index.

ISBN:

0823029670

OCLC:

36501329