The Results-Oriented Architecture Workplace

Architecture jobs, whether designing structures or drawing plans for them, are involved in a lot of detail. When architecture people are so engrossed in the details of their jobs, it’s easy for them, for anyone actually, to lose sight of the job’s major contribution.

A Results-Oriented Architecture Job Description is different from a traditional job description because it focuses an employee on the several job results that answer the question: What results must this architecture job accomplish for the organization?

Architecture Job Standards added to job expectations tighten management controls by clarifying how well and when results must be accomplished.

Architecture Job Objectives establish management and employee plans by highlighting important current and future results needed.

Job-specific Architecture Employee Management Forms maintain consistent and legally sound management actions by basing manager-employee interactions on job results.

The Purpose of Architecture Jobs

Stated in a results-oriented, three-line style, architecture jobs--

DESIGN AND BUILD STRUCTURES THAT PEOPLE CAN USE AND ENJOY by

identifying structure goals and requirements; preparing layouts, building systems, and landscaping; managing projects including budgets and timetables and selecting and supervising contractors. solving design and construction problems.

Types of Architecture Jobs

The architect is the principal actor in the process of understanding the purpose of the structure, developing design concepts as well as construction processes. Other jobs support architects by preparing drawings and changes, tracking project implementation and costs, and coordinating construction.

Architecture Job Management Tools

Here are actual job examples of how architecture job actions can be focused on results and kept on track using each of our job management tools:

Results-Oriented Architecture Job Descriptions form the foundation of all job management tools. Our uniquely structured job descriptions focus on the result to be accomplished first and prominently, followed by the duties performed in order to accomplish the result. For example,

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Architecture Job Standards sharpen employee attention and management control by defining and communicating how well the architecture results must be accomplished and what benchmarks will be used to measure job results. For example, for the job result above, the job standards might be:

• Architecture situations are correctly understood.
• All options are identified and evaluated.
• Architecture recommendations are ready when needed.

Architecture Job Objectives point the direction for employee actions by focusing job efforts on current and future architecture issues. Job objectives are written in the three-line, results-oriented structure. For example, for the job result above, a job objective might be:

SPEED-UP DECISION MAKING by

reducing time to deliver architecture recommendations by 10% by (date).

Architecture Employee Management Forms tied specifically to each architecture job description are more helpful (and legal) than generic forms used for all different kinds of jobs. Job-specific forms are used to state job qualifications, guide job interview questions, orient new employees, plan job training, and appraise job performance.

Architecture Job Qualifications are stated in the same terms used in the job description. They are not translated into generic (typically behavioral) terms. For example:

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Architecture Job Interview guide questions are inserted directly below each job result in the job description: For example:

• "What specific job responsibilities have you had in this area?"
• "Where did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "When did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "How did you go about accomplishing these responsibilities?"
• "What accomplishment in this area gave you the most pride?"
• "In this area, what were some of your biggest challenges?"
• "How did you overcome the challenges?"

The Architecture Job Orientation guide reformats the job description sequence so that job explanations, policies, protocols, processes, and procedures are logical and complete and can easily be checked off. For example:

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Here's the procedure and format we use to analyze and present architecture recommendations."

The Architecture Job Training plan guides a thorough examination of actual job knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in the job description that need improvement or that might be enhanced. For example:

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Analytical skills would be improved by enrolling in a statistical analysis class."

The Architecture Job Performance Appraisal guide is a job-specific form. It is not a universal form used for all jobs. The guide adds an appraisal scale below each job result in the job description so that attention can be drawn to each job requirement and expectation. For example:

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

__ Great! Just want we wanted.
__ We have a problem.
__ Improvement is needed.
__ Much, much more than we asked for.

Comments: _________________

Architecture Résumé Template

Potential employers want to know what a job applicant has accomplished in his/her architecture work career. They don't want to be bored with minor details. Our Résumé Template provides:

• an outline to help assemble personal background information.
• a Results-Oriented Job Description to provide the architecture job language-focused on results-needed to write an effective résumé.
• Architecture Job Objectives to orient thinking in terms of accomplishments.
• instructions on how to use a Results-Oriented Architecture Job Description and Architecture Job Objectives to express job accomplishments.

Use the architecture job description responsibility statement as a base:

RECOMMENDS ARCHITECTURE ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Select the architecture job objective that fits your experience:

REDUCE COSTS 10% by

improving architecture processes.

Combine the two into a résumé statement:

Reduced costs 10% by analyzing, identifying, and recommending new architecture system controls.

Architecture Career Links

The American Institute of Architects, Careers

The professional association of architects.

National Council of architectural Registration Boards, Careers

Membership association of architectural registration boards in all states and territories.

About.com, Architecture

Information about architecture and related professions; Find employment agencies, job listings, job message boards, and career advice.

Akropolis.net

Resources such as interviews with working architects, links to valuable websites including architecture programs, a suggested reading list, and an opportunity to question Dr. Architecture, a self-proclaimed expert on the process of becoming an architect.

Boston Society of Architects, professional society

What is architecture; preparation to become an architect; the nature of professional practice.

U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Architects

Training and education needed for architect jobs; earnings; expected job prospects; what architects do; working conditions.