PcM: Practice Management

Black and white logo for the Architect Exam Podcast with bold text and a circular emblem in the word “Podcast.”

Explore resources for managing an architectural practice, including business structures, operations development, and financial responsibilities. This category covers professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and regulations governing architectural practices tested in NCARB’s ARE 5.0. Content focuses on business operations, development strategies, asset protection, and legal requirements essential for running a successful architecture firm. Ideal for candidates beginning their ARE journey as this division covers foundational office management concepts.

Client happily demands a construction change order mid-project, while the architect and contractor react in stress and frustration over revised plans.

Construction Change Orders: Your Project’s Plot Twist

Understanding what is a change order in construction is crucial for project success. Construction change orders are formal contract amendments that require three-party agreement and always increase costs compared to original work. This guide explains...

Architect caught between a builder and client arguing over a collapsed building, symbolizing liability and the need for architect insurance.

Architect Insurance: The Designer’s Guide to Risk Management

Without proper insurance as a practicing architect, a single claim could devastate your business financially. This guide explains professional liability coverage essentials, insurance requirements for all project participants, and proven risk management strategies that will...

Exhausted visual learner falls asleep studying for the ARE exam, surrounded by prep books and a hypnotic TV screen labeled “ARE PREP.”

Visual Learner Myth: Why You Need Multiple Study Methods

Have you ever spent hours watching ARE prep videos, feeling productive and confident, only to completely freeze when facing actual exam questions? You’re not alone—and contrary to popular belief, being a “visual learner” might be...

Three women sprinting through design, procurement, and construction phases, symbolizing the fast-paced nature of the construction bidding process.

Construction Bidding Process: Navigating Public Projects

Navigating the construction bidding process is essential for all AEC professionals working on public projects. This comprehensive guide breaks down the procurement journey from design completion to groundbreaking, demystifying the rules, timelines, and requirements that...

Two ARE Candidates celebrate passing their architect exams on a virtual call, surrounded by study materials, symbolizing the power of ARE Bootcamp.

Unlock The Power of ARE Bootcamp: How to Maximize Your Success

Ready to conquer the Architect Registration Exam? Whether you're just starting your ARE journey or looking to finish what you've started, understanding how to unlock ARE Bootcamp power can make all the difference in your...

Side-by-side comparison of QA vs QC showing one architect reviewing a quality assurance checklist in an office, and another performing quality control checks on-site.

QA vs QC: One Prevents Problems and The Other Finds Them

Mastering the QA vs QC relationship is crucial for architectural project success. Understanding when to apply quality assurance versus quality control can dramatically reduce errors, improve workflow efficiency, and prevent costly mistakes. This comprehensive guide...

Giant monster looms over a chaotic construction site, symbolizing unexpected issues and the need for construction contingency planning.

Construction Contingency: Planning for the Project’s Unknown

In the world of architecture and construction, one truth remains constant: something will always go wrong. No matter how meticulously you plan, how carefully you design, or how thoroughly you prepare your construction documents, the...

A classical courthouse and a modern office building balanced on a scale, symbolizing the comparison of public vs private construction projects.

The Client Factor: Public vs Private Architecture Projects

This podcast is also available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts One question can determine the entire course of an architecture project: Is the client public or private? This seemingly simple distinction fundamentally transforms every...