Free Download: Architect Business Plan

If someone asked me a few years ago whether as an Architect I ever considered having a business or marketing plan in place, I would be very tempted to snap back saying we are designers and not measly marketers or businessmen.

Well, however true that might sound even today, let me ask you a simple question, how do you get new clients?

Let’s look at it this way – say you are thinking of taking a short holiday with your spouse and kids. What if you just step out one fine day without any idea as to where you are going (business plan) & how will you get there (marketing plan)? You will be clueless as to what you’ll need and how much money the trip will cost, it just wouldn’t work. Just as a charted course will keep a ship from the shore, your business plan will help you reach your goals.

Well, this article is not about throwing a bunch of business jargon at you but to give you an overview of some of the useful aspects of a business and marketing plan. You won’t believe how simple yet powerful this small exercise could be for the growth of any business until you do it. Let’s take a quick look at the various elements that I have tailored exclusively for architecture firms.

1. Company Vision, Goals and Objectives – This defines where the company is going in terms of facts and figures e.g. To become a leading architecture firm in town by year 2020 or generate 15% profit on 100 million dollars by 2020.
2. Company Mission – This states what the company does and how they do it. You could identify services you offer and clients you cater to e.g. XYZ firm offers contemporary business interiors for mid sized corporates.
3. Market Overview or Audit – This section helps put together an analysis of the overall market, competition and internal assessment of the company itself. Here you can learn how much business in your niche is available for grabs using various research tools. You will lay the groundwork for marketing your architecture firm.
4. Market Segmentation – Select the segments or niche that your firm can best serve in terms of geographic location, industry or any other measurable e.g.: New corporate interior projects in Northern California.
5. Competitive Advantage – This is an extremely critical aspect of a business plan in any industry as it identifies what are the firm’s strengths and weaknesses compared to that of competition. Why should any customer come knocking to your door and not go to the architecture firm down the street? How are you better or different?
6. Strategies and Tactics – Now that you’ve identified your niche and point of differentiation, its time to list how to get those customers in the door. Lunch meetings, scouting for references, free consultation offers, social media outreach – what is it that will bring in new customers?
7. Budget & Timelines – Here, you can allocate resources to achieve maximum return on investment. It’s better if you can account for the smallest overheads and tentative time frames for each project. This will help you determine realistic fee quotes per project and cut down on unnecessary expenses.
8. Tracking and Monitoring – It is important to keep track of what works, what doesn’t and how much has been allocated to each project. A simple way is to establish quantifiable goals and budgets for each project and review the performance metrics after each big project or at least twice a year.

Free Business Plan Worksheet

To help you get started with your architect business plan, join the Business of Architecture email list for solo architects and small architecture firms and I’ll send you a free business plan worksheet. Just tell me where to send it:

Just as a ship needs to chart a course to reach it's destination, an architect without a business plan runs the risk of ending up shipwrecked on the shore. Don't feel like you have to make an exhaustive business plan 100 pages thick. That might keep you from ever getting started. The important thing is to answer the 8 questions above, write them down, and review them on a regular basis with your partners and team members.

So what do you say? Do you have a business plan? If you don't, why not? Do you think a business plan is important for a solo architect? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below!