NATICK, MA - Projects are what professional service firms do for a living-so leadership, teamwork, and an efficient, sharp project delivery system are critical in preserving profitability. Investment in this area not only signifies a commitment to your team and clients, but leverages expertise in ways that multiply returns throughout the firm.
Christine Brack, an associate with ZweigWhite who specializes in project management optimization, discusses the importance of this service to ZweigWhite's clients. "A/E firms are reticent about investing in training because they've tried it before and it didn't stick. At the same time, they have some serious challenges arising out of the area of project management that training alone cannot and will not fix. Unless there is a single and solid delivery system in place and a leadership culture that supports it, no amount of training will raise the level of expertise or profitability that firms are strategically working toward. Working with firms to optimize their project management system satisfies both these initiatives."
Architects and engineers are much more inclined to work on their design and consulting than they are on improving project delivery. It is not easy—but it is necessary—and in business it is good for us to do difficult things. Whenever there is investment of this sort, there is risk—but only if you invest will there be return—particularly the growth and profitability kind. If you do anything to your business this year, optimize the way your projects are delivered. Through this singular effort training is simplified, communication abounds, quality increases, clients are happy, the team is happy, write downs disappear, profitability soars. But that is assuming these things are important to you.
Optimizing your project delivery system—and committing the entire firm to that system—is probably the most strategic and results-evident action to engage in this year. To learn more about ZweigWhites Project Management Optimization services, visit www.zweigwhite.com/consulting/management/index.asp.
ZweigWhite is the nation's leading source of management consulting, information, and education for the design and construction industry. ZweigWhite brings together experts in strategic business planning, organization, operations, business valuation, ownership transition, human resources, recruitment, finance and administration, information technology, mergers and acquisitions, market research, marketing, project management and project delivery methods. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, IL, with additional offices in Natick, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC. For further information, contact Colleen Casey at [email protected] or visit www.zweigwhite.com.
