{"id":42532,"date":"2017-08-28T08:33:32","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T12:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=42532"},"modified":"2017-08-28T08:33:42","modified_gmt":"2017-08-28T12:33:42","slug":"exploring-similar-practices-among-architectureengineering-firms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/exploring-similar-practices-among-architectureengineering-firms\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring similar practices among architecture\/engineering firms"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
“2017 Operating Expenses Survey,” one of two recent reports sharing data from architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms, reveals there are spending differences between average- and high-profit firms, and between multidisciplinary and singularly focused.<\/span>
Photo \u00a9 BigStockPhoto<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two recently released surveys give an overview of business and human resources (HR) practices within architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms. Focusing on operating expenses and on HR policies and procedures, respectively, the two reports offer insight on business conditions in the design and construction industry. According to the surveys, while operating expense spending tends to vary according to firms\u2019 profitability and disciplinary focus, HR policies tend to fall within clear majorities.<\/p>\n

\u201c2017 Operating Expenses Survey\u201d explores how firms within the industry prioritize costs. Its results indicated firms exhibiting average growth allocate spending differently than those growing quickly\u2014for instance, high-profit firms tend to strategically spend money in crucial business areas. It was also noted firms\u2019 profit margins and ability to retain employees seemed to correlate with spending on employee retention programs.<\/p>\n

It was also found nearly 30 percent of the average firm\u2019s net service revenue goes to needs such as HR, marketing, information technology (IT), insurance, and bonus plans. Differences were noted for multidisciplinary firms, which tended to spend two to five percent less on rent\/utilities, HR, and IT than others, but more on bonuses and insurance.<\/p>\n

The latter report, \u201c2017 Policies, Procedures, and Benefits Survey of Architecture, Engineering, Planning, and Environmental Consulting Firms,\u201d delves into the role of firms\u2019 HR directors, examining related policies, spending, and compensation. This includes parental leave, time off, personal development, insurance, and staff background.<\/p>\n

Based on the results of the survey, most HR directors in the architecture and engineering consulting industry are experienced, having been in the industry for approximately 18 years, and participate in annual planning processes. Only 20 percent, however, are reported to have a master\u2019s degree. The average HR director also earns a base salary of $128,500, and most firms further reported paying their directors a bonus of approximately five percent of his or her salary in 2016. Nearly half the respondents (42 percent) stated they lack a dedicated HR department, meaning their HR directors also fulfill other roles.<\/p>\n

Insurance and other compensation was also discussed in this survey, with the majority of firms reporting they cover 70 to 80 percent of individual insurance premiums and 50 to 80 percent of family premiums. Most also encourage continued education, with 68 percent reimbursing employees for tuition and similar fees on course completion, and all cover meeting fees and annual dues.<\/p>\n

Both surveys are available through Zweig Group<\/a>, the organization that conducted them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two recently released surveys give an overview of business and human resources (HR) practices within architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1836,"featured_media":42534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1029],"tags":[3517,3286,1361,3663,1478],"class_list":["post-42532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-aec","tag-national","tag-report","tag-spending","tag-survey","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nExploring similar practices among architecture\/engineering firms - The Construction Specifier<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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