In the current economic climate, companies are more in need than ever of professionals who can systematize and bring their projects to fruition to boost their efficiency. Indeed, at the moment, only 8% of organisations are regarded as ‘high performance’ with regard to achieving the objectives of the projects they undertake. A low-performing company poses a capital risk almost fourteen times higher than companies with excellent performance results, a contrast that can mean the difference between whether a company is viable or not*.

Architects are agents of change. They are used to working under pressure in dynamic, complex and ever-changing environments. They can alternate a global overview of the project with the ability to focus on key aspects. Furthermore, architects who specialise in project management are trained specifically to complete projects to the agreed quality, deadline and budget. At the same time, they have the ability to document, monitor and control the project effectively. This is their main added value.

A project is not just a routine operation, but a series of operations designed to achieve a particular objective. Every client, every location, every commission and every work team is unique. Choosing the right team of professionals is one of the most important decisions you can make. Before starting the search, consider the needs of your project and ask yourself the following questions, whatever your experience and the complexity of your project may be:

• What are the objectives of my project?
• What is my budget?
• Is there a project management strategy in place?
• Have I got the right work team?
• What kind of experience or expertise am I expecting from my team of professionals?
• Do I have the right management tools for the job?

The COAC recommends that you visit the Job Bank to help you select the best professionals for your project.

 *Information taken from the Project Management Institute’s ‘Pulse of the Profession 2013’ study.