WA Practice Management Forum
The ACA WA Committee recently launched its new online Practice Management Forum — an intimate space for those overseeing the operational side of architectural practice to share experiences, challenges and insights. The inaugural session, held in May, brought together directors, practice managers and operational leaders for open and authentic discussions on the realities of running a practice today.
Key themes discussed included financial sustainability, project pipeline uncertainty, fee pressures, software systems, resourcing difficulties, and the need to balance project work with long-term strategic leadership. The conversation also recognised the growing importance of staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and knowledge management as critical aspects of resilient practice.
Looking ahead, the Forum will run a mix of informal peer conversations and targeted sessions with expert input. Future topics flagged for deeper exploration include procurement models, unfair contract conditions, staff wellbeing, and tools to better capture knowledge and data. The Forum aims to foster an ongoing exchange of practical knowledge to support the health, resilience and sustainability of architectural practice in Western Australia.
The ACA sees this Forum as a key platform to elevate often under-recognised aspects of practice management, advocate for fairer procurement and contracting frameworks, and explore emerging issues such as AI integration. By sharing lived experience, identifying systemic challenges, and developing collective expertise, the Forum will help build stronger, more sustainable practices — and a stronger architectural profession.
If you are interested in joining the WA Practice Management Forum, contact Claire Harloe for more information.
Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you to Kali Passmore and Kahla Murphy for their collaboration in launching this new forum. Special thanks to Kali for hosting and chairing the first session.
Photo: Sigmund, Unsplash