Find Out What Happened to Architects with PMP Certification
TABLE OF CONTENTS What is an Architectural Project Manager? What You Need to Know About Being PMP Architects? Duties of Architectural Project Manager Education Required for Architectural Project Manager Skills for Architectural Project Manager How to Become an Architectural Project Manager? Is PMP Good for Architects? Concluding Thoughts |
Commercial project performance has significantly increased across the globe yearly. For example, the 2018 report of PMI shows that 71% of projects have met their actual objectives and business demands compared to 68% in 2016.
Project managers have continued to be a greater force behind this change, and they are in high demand. The Project Management Institute (PMI) also reported the requirement of 97.7Mn project professionals by 2027.
Without experts in project management roles, a business could crumble up with a loss of billion dollars. It is one of the main reasons why companies are turning to architects. They bring in a unique set of potentials that result in the successful management of projects.
In earlier ages of businesses, Architects only dealt with the creative and design sides of the building project. However, with the companies and technologies evolving consistently, architectural organizations have started realizing the significance of being a part of projects' delivery, expense control, and construction quality.
Moreover, as the PMP architect offers more opportunities to improve their skills for managing massive projects, your architectural background can lead to greater career height with the collaboration of design with management skills.
Today's topic might be new, though it's not a new trend. However, few aren't familiar with the term Architectural Project Managers. Most often, we only hear about the business analyst, project manager, Sr. program managers, and PMP-related roles.
Therefore, here we are with today's blog on Architectural Project Managers.
What is an Architectural Project Manager?
These individuals are licensed architects who have advanced to senior-level positions. In addition, the architectural project managers are responsible for overseeing groups of other architects while planning and building architectural projects.
They are the shoulder of the architectural project sector - organizing and leading their groups through various job procedures while keeping them motivated.
These managers' duties include meeting up between clients and architects, creating project teams, scheduling, budgeting, and starting building designs.
In the specialized media of our world today, it becomes an additional benefit to nurture the skill and gain insight, similar to a project manager. However, architectural project management has a higher degree of uncertainty and complexity than other project management fields due to several factors involved.
What You Need to Know About Being PMP Architects?
Required Degree Background |
Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) or Masters of Architecture (M. Arch) |
Training |
Must take internship for licensure |
Responsibilities |
|
Licensure |
Must pass the Architect Registration Exam to obtain licensure |
Job Growth (till 2030 as per PayScale.com) |
3% (for all architects) |
Average Salary (2022 Glassdoor.com) |
|
Duties of Architectural Project Manager
As an architectural project manager, your primary focus or role will be to manage the development of architectural projects. In addition, you often work within an architectural organization. Therefore, you must handle all of the practical and organizational information related to the project.
Moreover, you will be responsible for the overall success of architectural projects.
For instance, you are an architectural project manager of a company. What will be your roles and responsibilities in the firm?
There are various roles out of which a few essential steps are listed below you as an architectural project manager will follow on a somewhat routine basis:
- Schedule meetings between clients and architects
- Develop project plans
- Assemble and manage architect teams
- Guide the creation of architectural designs
- Strategizing project schedules
- Creating a project budget
- Motivate and manage a team of assistants
But can you walk into a company with a fake thought of being an architectural project manager?
No, that's right.
So, what do you need?
Exactly, education and experience.
You have to be a licensed architect to acquire the position of an architectural project manager. In addition, you must have several years of experience working in architectural design before proceeding to a project management role.
Education Required for Architectural Project Manager
Most countries need you to have a professional degree in architecture before obtaining licensure and start working in the architectural area. You can either enroll in Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch), a 5-year program or complete a related Bachelor's degree program and architecture graduation program.
What do you learn in a professional architecture program?
- Construction methods and materials
- Building designs
- Mathematics
- Architecture
- Drafting
- Building structures
- Computer-aided design
If you want to go for an architectural project manager, choose to minor or focus on management, business, or urban planning.
Skills for Architectural Project Manager
Personal Management
The personal management skill of these project managers involves managing others by supervising particular skillsets or acting as a guide to other team members.
Problem-solving
These managers can quickly identify issues and develop solutions that positively impact or minimize the adverse effects. They use critical thinking, decision-making, and analysis for issue resolution.
Understanding of Building and Zoning Codes
This manager aids in ensuring compliance with local building codes. Therefore, they need to know both industry standards and geographic codes.
Project Management
As an architectural project manager, you need to have the logistical and organizational skills to follow a project from beginning to the end - including scheduling, planning, budgeting, designing, and expense control.
Computer-aided Design
To finish the design components, the architectural project managers must be experts in leveraging top-notch software - REVIT (building modeling software) and AutoCAD (design and drafting software).
Knowledge of Drafting & Architectural Engineering
These involve reviewing technical project elements and inspecting and approving plans.
How to Become an Architectural Project Manager?
- Degree completion: If you're looking for a Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) Degree, you have two options:
- 5-year B. Arch from a program provided by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB) offers all the needed schooling to become a fully licensed architect.
- The 4-year pre-professional degree can be paired with a 2-year M. Arch program to be a licensed practitioner.
- Individuals having Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field - opt for a more extended M. Arch program (3-4 years program) accredited by NAAB
- Complete the training: From B. Arch/M. Arch to complete the formal training to become fully licensed is an added advantage for architectural project manager interviews. It means completing the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), taking the Architecture Registration Examination (ARE), and getting a license.
- Project management certification: Some job listing for architectural project management role seeks the specific certifications:
- Certified construction manager: This accreditation is from the Construction Management Association of America. It is particular to the construction sector and must undergo an exam to be a certified construction manager.
- Project Management Professional (PMP): Accredited by the PMI is a globally renowned certification that involves taking courses and passing the credential test. The first level of the certificate is CAPM. PMP is an advanced-level credential that needs the CAPM and specific project management experience.
- Project management degree: Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in project management can be completed online or in person. These being a widely focused area, they may be the right option if the project management aspect of this role is more appealing to you than the architectural specialization.
- Maintain Relevant Certification: If you have a project management certification or an architect license, you must renew them periodically. These renewals usually need extra coursework, which is a great choice to update your skills and knowledge.
Is PMP Good for Architects?
As an architect, you will bring a wide range of skills to project management position, and they are:
- Bring in strong negotiation skills by offering great experience and advice across the building project process.
- You can maintain records and monitor all variables across your team's work. Your business stays within budget control, thus making sure shareholders get paid within the time.
- You can help with the design process to ensure the project is created and built by mitigating risks. With your architectural knowledge, you can better understand which contractors are a suitable fit.
- One of the crucial factors of being a good project manager is team communication. The architects are made project-ready by using existing stakeholder management experience and building companies and clients.
- Your architectural knowledge provides you with decision-making skills, which can significantly benefit your future career in project management. As a project manager, you can confidently make decisions - help in establishing construction sites, developing a quality control system, coordinating equipment, and arrangement for infrastructural needs.
- Architects have a creative mindset to solve critical problems in project management. Not only are they adept at handling structural details, but also come up with unique solutions.
Concluding Thoughts
Learning project management skills can enable you to expand your architecture career. It opens up a wide range of job opportunities. However, it will also help increase your analytical and reporting expertise while allowing you to grow as a successful project leader.
If you're an architect looking for project management education, oceanic opportunities await you at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. One of the plus points is that you can study, and at the same time work, with online study materials offered by reputed and NAAB accredited institutions.
The project management course will help you expand your current architectural experience into a fantastic salary perk career. Balancing online education with practical work, the 16-month program includes six flexible preparation periods for seven weeks. It will put you in the best position to take a leadership position in a significantly growing sector, resulting in exciting personal growth.
Recommended posts
How Can I Prepare for PMP in 30 Days?
What are PMP Certification Fees?
Can I Take the PMP Certification Test at Home?
To know more, Visit our website:
Comments (0)
Write a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked (*)