Managing the professional practice in the built environment - Hedley Smyth

Topics central to the growth and development of professional practices in the built environment are addressed here. They range from how to manage resources in times of growth, downturn and into the upturn; developing capacity and capabilities; structuring the practice and the management span of control; to managing innovation, succession and mergers, marketing, client identification and brand development.

Managing the Professional Practice in the built environment explores these key challenges facing today
s practice managers under three main themes: Section I: Overview in Scope and Context of Managing the Professional Practice looks at how the history of the firm creates both opportunities and rigidities for developing the practice, in terms of culture and market position, strategies and implementation, finance, marketing and HR management. Section II: Managing Specific Issues in the Professional Practice explores how these affect approaches to discipline and operational processes in practices. Section III: Reflections upon Practice covers experiences of those in practice, with top practitioners detailing how they are addressing key issues in their practice and for their discipline.

Each chapter, by a practitioner, has a postscript from academic authors to make links back to research on theory and application. The emphasis throughout is to examine issues influencing the culture, strategies and management operations of professional practices. The book draws upon concepts and experiences in practice from smaller growing practices to large international firms in the built environment.