Supporting Architecture Firms for Over 45 Years

Every year, World Architecture Day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions of the architecture industry.

The theme of World Architecture Day 2024 is "Empowering the Next Generation in Participatory Urban Design," emphasizing the role of young architects in urban planning and development. Deltek is committed to providing software and solutions that power firms to achieve their goals, such as building work environments to attract and retain young talent dedicated to involving the community in projects and providing a vision for the future that includes building innovative and sustainable communities.

Using AI to Attract the Next Generation of Talent

Architecture firms are evolving in response to technological advancements, and one of the most promising tools at their disposal is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Young architects and designers are digital natives, familiar with tech that streamlines work, enhances creativity and provides more innovative solutions. For architecture firms looking to attract this generation, incorporating AI can create a more dynamic and appealing work environment for young professionals.

AI-powered tools can automate routine tasks like drafting, cost estimation and project management, freeing up time for architects to focus on design and innovation. This creates a more efficient and creative workspace, appealing to younger talent eager to spend time on meaningful work rather than repetitive tasks. In addition, AI can help enable smarter collaboration, particularly in remote or hybrid work environments. AI-driven platforms can manage and coordinate workflows, allowing teams from different locations to work seamlessly together. This flexibility is attractive to younger generations, who value work-life balance and the ability to work remotely.

Many firms are looking to create eco-friendly designs that meet modern standards, and AI can play a critical role in helping to achieve sustainability. This aligns with the values of many younger professionals passionate about addressing climate change and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Firms that embrace this tech-driven future not only enhance their operations but also position themselves as forward-thinking, desirable places to work.

According to the United Kingdom (UK), Australia and New Zealand Deltek Clarity Industry Study, 36% of architecture firms highlighted investing in new technologies, such as AI, as one of their top priorities in 2024, while 89% of architecture firms surveyed listed AI as being somewhat or very important to the organization's success.

In the North America Clarity Study, architecture and engineering firm participants reported that 62% expect AI to improve operational efficiency and that just over half (52%) have an AI strategy or are working on one. Similar to the UK, Australia and New Zealand Study, most firms believe AI will positively impact their business. 

Deltek Invests in Purposeful Innovation

Deltek recently revealed an AI Assistant, Deltek Dela, born out of purposeful innovation efforts to help end users be more productive and efficient with our industry-specific solutions.

Dela includes powerful AI-driven capabilities to make users more efficient and knowledgeable about their business, industry and Deltek solutions. Whether it's generating innovative content, predicting project success, or enabling intelligent exploration, Dela is designed to meet the unique needs of project-based businesses.

Sharing Industry Trends and Best Practices

For the last 45 years, Deltek has conducted annual surveys of firms in the Architecture & Engineering (A&E) industries to identify benchmarks on key performance indicators and gain perspective on current market trends and conditions. The Deltek Clarity A&E Industry Study in North America and the UK, Australia and New Zealand report are helpful resources for firms, whether they are contemplating investment in cutting-edge technology, enhancing profitability or reassessing staffing requirements. The studies help firms benchmark their business and identify prevailing challenges and opportunities within the industry, which is pivotal for positioning an A&E firm for success. Deltek offers the reports as free resources to firms.

This year, Deltek surveyed over 650 firms in North America and 400 in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The North American study showed that 40% of A&E firms are implementing career development programs, a 13-percentage point increase over the last year. In addition, there has been a 3.2% rise in firms with learning management systems. Another significant trend is the focus on retaining employee knowledge as older workers retire. Finding skilled replacements is challenging, and 90% of the Deltek North America Clarity Study respondents cited acquiring top talent as their biggest challenge. Firms recognize that it is essential to upskill and retain talent to foster a sustainable workplace culture. 

According to the UK, Australia and New Zealand Study, 26% of firms said they are concerned about the increased competition for talent, which could impact attracting new employees, a priority for 28% of firms. Difficulties in attracting and retaining talent (40%) and a lack of training and upskilling staff (43%) are seen as detrimental to survey respondent's organizations. Additionally, 37% view resignations and employee churn as significant issues. Despite these challenges, 32% of respondents plan to focus on upskilling and training employees, while 85% of architecture firms in these regions report having the tools and activities to support employee wellbeing.

The trends in human capital management highlight the need for strategic workforce planning, robust career development and effective employee retention strategies in A&E firms. As the industry navigates challenges such as the retirement of highly experienced professionals and the competitive landscape for acquiring top talent, embracing technology becomes indispensable. Tools that facilitate remote work, streamline HR processes, enhance employee development, improve operational efficiency and make firms more attractive to potential hires are now table stakes. By prioritizing digital maturity and investing in comprehensive human capital management platforms, A&E firms can create a sustainable, engaged and skilled workforce ready to meet future demands.

Connecting with Architecture Firms Around the Globe

Deltek provides project-based solutions that meet the evolving needs of the A&E industry and is looking forward to engaging with customers and prospects both through industry events and webinars to help firms discover the best technology tools for their business and how to leverage them for success.

Deltek's A&E experts in North America are participating in several notable events this year. Deltek recently sponsored the AIA Women's Leadership Summit, and Natasha Engan, SVP of Sales, moderated a panel discussion on the impact of women designers in the city of Chicago and the broader U.S. architectural landscape. Dinakar Hituvalli, SVP and CTO, will address attendees at the Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) conference in Colorado Springs this fall. In addition, Deltek will also be speaking at the Morrisey Goodale Texas and the South M&A and Business Symposium.  Megan Miller, Director of Product Marketing, will share insights from the latest Deltek North America Clarity Architecture and Engineering Study.

Bret Tushaus, VP of Product Management, will speak at the ACEC Fall Conference. Attendees will learn practical strategies to enhance project management, resource optimization, and decision-making while overcoming barriers to AI adoption and driving operational excellence in a competitive landscape. Deltek will also be a sponsor at the Rush O'Brien Growth & Ownership Strategies Conference in Naples, Florida.

In the UK, Deltek hosted a webinar with Architects Journal on October 8. We spoke to industry experts and explored how architecture firms leverage technology to secure more projects, enhance planning and productivity, and sustain profit margins, sharing these valuable insights with our audience.

On October 11, Deltek will continue celebrating World Architecture Day in Australia and New Zealand with our webinar, Designing Tomorrow: 10 Critical Moves Your Architecture Firm Should Make. Deltek will partner with the Association of Consulting Architects (ACA) to explore critical topics such as what to focus on when attracting and retaining talent and why digital transformation is key to business success.

A Trusted Partner Guiding Companies to Operational Clarity and Excellence

According to the Nucleus Research 2024 ERP Technology Value Matrix, Deltek stands out for its exceptional value delivery and strong positioning among Cloud ERP competitors. Specializing in tailored solutions, our ERP solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, providing efficient project lifecycle management capabilities. Offering a comprehensive suite of business applications, we empower project-based companies throughout the entire process, from opportunity and delivery to invoicing.

Discover the latest A&E industry trends and insights

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