Developing a benchmarking system for architecture design firms

Abstract

Purpose The construction industrys business model is mainly based on the interaction among the architecture office, the engineering office and the construction company. The performance and practices of architects offices, unlike those of the other actors, are difficult to characterize and there have been few studies on these issues. To better understand architects' performance, the purpose of this paper is to develop a benchmarking tool based on real practices identified by managers of Chilean architecture offices.Design/methodology/approachThe research method includes a complete literature review, followed by a study of a sample of nine Chilean architecture offices, with whom a series of four workshops was developed, to establish both performance indicators and relevant management practices. Finally, these metrics were applied in an architectural office as a pilot case.FindingsFour management dimensions were defined: client management, external coordination, internal organization and human resources. Key performance indicators were divided into process, financial and quality indicators. The workshops carried out with the architectural offices demonstrated the relevance of benchmarking tools such as the one developed, which enables the systematic measurement of both management practices and performance indicators. Originality/valueAlthough there have been several efforts to create benchmarking tools for the construction industry, few efforts have focused on architecture offices. Therefore, this research aims to explicitly identify management practices that can be used for this type of organization and to coordinate among multiple actors to find the best way to measure their performance, other than the fulfilment of schedules and budgets.

Factors influencing the performance of architects in construction projects

“…Previous studies have identified several criteria for the performance of architects. The objectives of project stakeholders should be identified to achieve a successful project (Afolabi et al, 2018;Salvatierra et al, 2019). To do so, architects should work closely with their clients to learn the project objectives that they prioritise (Adinyira and Dafeamekpor, 2015;Marisa, 2018).…”

“…Therefore, the ability to identify and prioritise project objectives is an important criterion for assessing the performance of architects. Salvatierra et al (2019) argued that the works of architects are evaluated on the basis of the quality of their designs. Given that a good design quality should be achieved in construction projects, the performance of architects should consider the quality and aesthetic value of their designs (Al-Saggaf, Nasir and Hegazy, 2020).…”

“…Architects are skilled professionals in the construction industry who are involved in creating new ideas and adopting new technology and innovation (Yusof, Ishak and Doheim, 2018). The quality of the design of an architect has a connection with various aspects of performance (Salvatierra et al, 2019). Architects must guide their clients to prioritise project objectives, provide advice on the project feasibility and project requirement, interpret the ideas of clients into design and help them achieve the overall project objectives (Luo, Zhang and Sher, 2017;Doheim and Yusof, 2020).…”

An Assessment of Lean Design Management Practices in Construction Projects

“…This research proposes a tool to assess management practices in the design phase of construction projects; then, the study identifies implementations gaps, it provides benchmarks with other projects, and it improves the design process through a taxonomy of lean design management practices. been studied to evaluate its performance [7], to implement integrated management systems and visual management tools [8], as well as to optimize this process [6].Technological tools have great potential to improve the performance of projects, particularly in the design phase. However, the problems generated in the design of construction projects cannot be solved with technology alone but require an understanding of the social phenomena related to the processing of individual and collective information [9].…”

“…This research proposes a tool to assess management practices in the design phase of construction projects; then, the study identifies implementations gaps, it provides benchmarks with other projects, and it improves the design process through a taxonomy of lean design management practices. been studied to evaluate its performance [7], to implement integrated management systems and visual management tools [8], as well as to optimize this process [6].…”