A/E Firms: Back to Basics in Business Plans

NATICK, Mass. -- Architecture and engineering firms of all sizes are identifying common priorities for the current year, according to industry consultant ZweigWhite. "

We've discovered many firms this year are going back to the basics of what makes a company strong: building leaders from within, improving communication and developing a system that anticipates unexpected opportunities or a sudden downturn," said Mark Zweig, president and CEO of ZweigWhite.

To address these priorities, Zweig had these tips for industry firms:

• Identify and develop a new generation of leaders.
  Identifying talent in the ranks below the principal level is essential to permit principals to move on to other roles. Firms should determine which employees have the greatest potential to succeed with added responsibilities and focus time, attention, and money on them.
  
  
• Improve project manager communication.
  The key to better project management lies with effective communication. Communications between project managers and the rest of the project team, as well as with the individuals responsible for the project at the client's end, can be greatly improved through weekly job status reports, investing in the use of wireless e-mail technologies and upgrading telephone systems.
  
  
• Implement a workload forecasting system.
  During uncertain economic times, it is wise to use a workload forecasting system to project future revenue and adjust manpower accordingly. This may translate into responding to increased opportunities by adding new staff members or conversely, deferring capital expenditures to minimize a crisis.