Project management lessons from other industries for AE firms

Morrissey Goodale explores how architecture/engineering (AE) firms can integrate proven techniques from other industries to improve their project delivery, team collaboration, and client satisfaction.

1. Agile methodologies from software development

Software development companies such as Scrum Alliance and Atlassian have popularized agile methodologies. Agile emphasizes iterative progress, customer collaboration, and adaptability.

Scrum Alliance and Atlassian are well-known in the agile project management space, but they play different roles.

Scrum Alliance is a professional certification organization focused on promoting Scrum, a popular agile framework that organizes work into short, iterative cycles called sprints, typically lasting one to four weeks. It emphasizes collaborative teamwork, frequent feedback, and adaptability, with roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner guiding the process and key events including daily stand-ups and sprint reviews to ensure ongoing progress and communication.

Atlassian is a technology company that provides software tools to support agile project management. Its key product, Jira, is widely used for project tracking and collaboration in agile teams. Jira allows users to create Scrum boards, track tasks, assign responsibilities, and manage workflows, making it a versatile tool for implementing agile practices. Additionally, Atlassian offers other tools such as Confluence for documentation and Trello for simpler task management.

Application to AE firms:

• Iterative design: By adopting a sprint-based approach, AE project teams can work on design iterations, collect feedback, and make adjustments in real time. This method ensures a more refined final product and reduces the risk of costly rework.

• Daily stand-ups: Short, focused meetings can improve communication among team members and quickly resolve issues.

• Client collaboration: Engaging clients at each iteration fosters a more collaborative relationship and aligns the project with client expectations.

2. Lean principles from manufacturing

Manufacturers such as Toyota have championed Lean principles, focusing on reducing waste, improving processes, and maximizing value. Lean emphasizes efficiency, elimination of non-value-added activities, and continuous improvement.

Toyota developed the Toyota Production System (TPS), a foundational Lean approach that revolves around “just-in-time” manufacturing, continuous improvement (Kaizen), and respect for people. TPS aims to create efficient processes by reducing inventory, eliminating waste, and ensuring that resources are used only when needed. This approach involves all employees in the continuous improvement process and places a strong emphasis on quality and teamwork.

Application to AE firms:

• Value stream mapping: By mapping their project workflows, AE firms can identify bottlenecks and unnecessary steps. This exercise allows firms to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.

• Just-in-time delivery: AE firms can adopt a just-in-time approach by coordinating with suppliers to deliver materials only when required, reducing excess inventory and storage costs.

• Continuous improvement (Kaizen): Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement fosters employee engagement and drives innovative process enhancements. This approach supports the identification and elimination of inefficiencies, leading to better project outcomes and resource utilization.

3. Project Management Best Practices from Health Care

Health care organizations have adopted various project management best practices to improve patient care, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency. One notable approach can be found in Health Information Technology (Health IT) systems.

Health IT involves the use of technology to manage health care information and enhance patient care. It includes electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, and health information exchange systems. Leading companies in this space, such as Epic Systems and Cerner Corporation, provide comprehensive Health IT solutions used by hospitals and health care facilities worldwide.

Epic Systems is a major provider of EHR software, offering a unified platform for managing patient records, scheduling, billing, and communication. Epic allows health care professionals to access patient information quickly and securely, improving coordination and reducing errors.

Cerner Corporation provides Health IT solutions that focus on interoperability and data exchange. Cerner’s systems enable seamless communication between different health care providers, ensuring patient information is readily available across multiple facilities and specialties.

Application to AE firms:

• Technology integration: AE firms can learn from Health IT’s integration of technology. Advanced project management software that is universally used within an organization can be used to track project milestones, share documents, and communicate with stakeholders—all of which can improve project coordination and reduce miscommunication.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Health care organizations often involve interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care. AE firms can adopt a similar approach by fostering collaboration among their various internal teams to enhance project outcomes.

4. Design thinking from product development

Design Thinking, popularized by companies such as IDEO and Stanford d.school, is a human-centered approach to innovation and problem-solving. It focuses on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and user-centric solutions.

IDEO is a renowned design firm that applies Design Thinking to create innovative products and services. The process starts with understanding user needs and involves ideation sessions, rapid prototyping, and testing. This iterative approach fosters creativity and leads to customer-focused solutions.

Stanford d.school, an academic institution, educates professionals on applying Design Thinking across various industries. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experimentation to solve complex problems creatively.

Application to AE firms:

• Empathy in design: By focusing on the end-users’ needs, AE firms can create more user-friendly, inclusive, and functional spaces. This approach encourages direct client engagement and feedback.

• Rapid prototyping: Creating physical or digital prototypes allows AE firms to quickly test design concepts and make adjustments before full-scale production.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Design Thinking promotes collaboration across different disciplines, fostering creativity and innovation.

Original content can be found at Morrissey Goodale.

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