Deltek is thrilled to collaborate with Jason Dorsey, renowned generational researcher, acclaimed speaker and a Deltek Trends Advisor and Workforce Expert. As the President of The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), Jason has led groundbreaking research on workforce trends, leadership and generational change, helping organizations around the world navigate periods of rapid transformation. In this guest post, Jason brings his expert perspective to the findings of the 46th Annual Deltek Clarity A&E Industry Study, highlighting the key workforce trends shaping the future of architecture and engineering firms.
The 46th Annual Deltek Clarity A&E Industry Study reveals a dynamic and exciting time of change within the architecture and engineering (A&E) workforce. The study highlights the convergence of rapidly-emerging technology expectations, marketplace shifts and workforce transformation—creating both challenges and new opportunities for leaders across the industry.
Navigate Workforce Change in A&E
To navigate this period of exciting yet accelerated change, leaders need statistically accurate data and actionable insights they can rely on to inform their strategy, guide investments and support immediate decision-making. The Human Capital Management section of the Deltek Clarity A&E study delivers exactly that—and much more—making it an essential asset for industry leaders who want to stay ahead and lead through change—rather than react to it.
Diving into the Deltek Clarity Study, three key workforce themes stand out that merit additional highlighting:
Changing work environment
A&E firms continue to navigate a world where team members work in-person, hybrid and fully remote—often within the same organization. This can create leadership challenges around communication, collaboration and culture; while also opening doors for new opportunities, such as access to broader talent pools. Leaders must now intentionally build cultures that foster connection, transparency and performance regardless of physical proximity.
Career paths and succession planning
The urgency for firms to improve both their career pathing and succession planning continues to grow as workforce demographics shift, regardless of whether firms consolidate or stay independent. As Baby Boomers continue to transition out of the workforce and Gen Z becomes the fastest-growing generation entering the workforce—set to outnumber Baby Boomers by 2030—firms must act with intention to both retain and generate new talent. Leaders who invest in clear, intentional career development and succession planning will be best positioned to navigate and grow during this transitional time.
Technology advancements
Both automation and Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to accelerate across all aspects of the industry. This affects the workforce in two distinctly opposite ways:
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- by unlocking powerful and efficient innovations
- by raising concerns—such as fear of job loss vs. job creation
Balancing the excitement around new technology and the opportunity it brings to streamline operations with the uncertainty that it can bring to the workforce, is becoming a growing responsibility for leaders that will only become more important. As AI rapidly advances, so must the way organizations communicate, train, engage and reassure their teams.
Turn Insight into Action
These three trends are just a glimpse into the incredibly powerful insights that continue to unfold from this year’s Deltek Clarity A&E Study. For leaders seeking a proactive tool based off of the Clarity Study findings that turns insight into action to unlock the potential of these trends in a multigenerational workforce, download Deltek’s Insights to Action worksheet. These resources include strategic questions and specific actions that leaders can take right away to amplify and apply the insights from this year’s A&E industry Study.
I’m thrilled to be part of the Deltek team, bringing these insights to life and sharing a perspective on the workforce trends that stand out for driving discovery and results across the A&E industry.
