Managing Design

CHAPTER 25Actions

What Works

For those consumed by projects and running their firms, without time to read, I've done it for you. This section summarizes the best practices shared by the interviewees. This book is about contemporizing and futureproofing two ancient professions: design and construction. The implication? We've got some work to do. If we want to be valued by our business partners, we need to change how we think and practice. Architecture and construction will always be valued services, not just indulgences for a privileged few. But only if we adapt. The following advice comes from the best experts I could find, and it's summarized to help you do just that.

“Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is.”

– Jimmy Carter

In Search of [Design] Excellence: [Designed and] Built to Last

Emerging Best Practices for Managing Design

Peters and Waterman's book In Search of Excellence offers wisdom based on extensive research. In Built to Last, Jim Collins and Scott Porras share practices of businesses that have prospered long term. This book's interviews, while a smaller sample size and not the absolute truths proposed by Peters, Waterman, Collins, and Porras, offer many insights.

“Do not fear mistakes. There are none.”

– Miles Davis

1. Strategic Services. Designers and builders should develop and offer early strategic programming and advisory services to owners. The goal of these services is creating programs, design solutions, and budget parameters geared to shape ...