Learn how to balance creativity and feasibility, use tools and systems, develop leadership skills, and more as an architect and project manager.

Invista tempo no aprimoramento de suas habilidades arquitetônicas, como design, concepção espacial, e compreensão de materiais e técnicas construtivas. Simultaneamente, aprofunde seus conhecimentos em gerenciamento de projetos, incluindo planejamento, orçamento, gestão de equipes e comunicação.

You’re an architect and a project manager. How can you be better at both?

As an architect and a project manager, you have to balance the creative and technical aspects of designing and delivering buildings. You also have to lead and coordinate teams, clients, contractors, and stakeholders. How can you be better at both roles and achieve your goals? Here are some tips to help you improve your skills and performance.

1 Know your strengths

You may have a natural preference for either architecture or project management, or you may enjoy both equally. Either way, you should be aware of your strengths and weaknesses in both domains. For example, you may be great at conceptualizing and visualizing spaces, but struggle with budgeting and scheduling. Or you may be adept at planning and organizing, but lack innovation and flair. Knowing your strengths can help you leverage them in your projects, and also identify areas where you need to improve or delegate.

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Rafaela Zakalski

BIM Manager | Coordenação de Projetos | Especialista Revit | BIM
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Invista tempo no aprimoramento de suas habilidades arquitetônicas, como design, concepção espacial, e compreensão de materiais e técnicas construtivas. Simultaneamente, aprofunde seus conhecimentos em gerenciamento de projetos, incluindo planejamento, orçamento, gestão de equipes e comunicação.

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Harry Madan

From DIY Dreams to Architectural Wonders: Choose TAG Hardware- Together We Achieve Growth
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Balance technical expertise with effective leadership. For instance, streamline communication channels to ensure seamless collaboration among team members while maintaining a solid grasp of architectural principles to guide the project effectively.

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2 Learn from others

You don't have to reinvent the wheel or figure everything out on your own. You can learn from other architects and project managers who have more experience, expertise, or different perspectives than you. You can seek mentors, join professional networks, attend workshops, read books, listen to podcasts, or follow blogs. You can also learn from your peers, team members, clients, and contractors. Ask for feedback, share ideas, collaborate, and listen to their insights and challenges.

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Jorge Lebrato

Digital Architecture Executive Manager | Integration Architect | MuleSoft Ambassador
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Pensar que eres el mejor arquitecto o el mejor gestor del mundo es uno de los errores más grandes que podemos comentar. De hecho pensar que eres el mejor de algo. Siempre habrá alguien de quien aprender, de donde coger ideas, de quien extraer experiencia y, negarse a recibir este aprendizaje puede convertirnos en unos profesionales cojos y con escaso crecimiento.

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3 Use tools and systems

You can make your life easier by using tools and systems that can help you manage your projects more efficiently and effectively. For example, you can use software or apps that can help you create and edit drawings, models, or presentations. You can also use tools that can help you track and communicate progress, risks, issues, changes, or decisions. You can also use systems that can help you standardize and streamline your processes, workflows, or templates. You can also use tools and systems that can help you automate or outsource some of the tasks that are not your core competencies.

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4 Balance creativity and feasibility

One of the challenges of being an architect and a project manager is to balance creativity and feasibility. You want to design buildings that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable, but you also have to consider the constraints and requirements of the project, such as budget, time, scope, quality, regulations, or client expectations. You have to be flexible and adaptable, and be willing to compromise or negotiate when necessary. You also have to be realistic and pragmatic, and be able to justify and communicate your design choices and project plans.

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5 Develop your leadership skills

Being an architect and a project manager also requires you to develop your leadership skills. You have to be able to inspire and motivate your team, clients, contractors, and stakeholders. You have to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, and manage expectations and conflicts. You have to be able to delegate and empower others, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. You also have to be able to handle stress and uncertainty, and cope with changes and challenges.

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Ranu Kohli Sharma

ARB RIBA Architect I Associate Director EMEA
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Being an Architect and a Project Manager is having best of both the worlds. As PM you can plan & include for the time and contingencies an Architect has to face. As an Architect you can encourage innovation, cut out fluff so the outcome aligns with measurable Quality, Time & Cost parameters. With experience on both sides of the fence, you become a bridge between the consultants and the client to set right expectations, nip unreasonable whims in the bud , steer design to suit the Brief before it strays too far and remind the client of late-change consequences. Its a balancing act that you will love!

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Mathieu LANG
(edited)
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Être un bon architecte créatif semble indubitablement essentiel. La rapidité créative est un atout, la connaissance des capacités de ces collaborateurs aussi. Je serais partisans d'échanges collégiales, pensant effectivement que l'on va plus loin ensemble, peut-être être plus vite seul, c'est la ou notre répartie de dirigeant prend son sens. Les bons outils pour l'échanges et leurs connaissances, des outils flexibles en conception sont effectivement indispensables aujourd'hui. Encore une fois la rapidité est un atout indispensable dans l'équilibre économique d'une agence.

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You’re an architect and a project manager. How can you be better at both?

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1 Know your strengths

2 Learn from others

3 Use tools and systems

4 Balance creativity and feasibility

5 Develop your leadership skills

6 Here’s what else to consider

Architecture

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