ARE Podcast: PjM Project Management

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

Free ARE PjM podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Project Management exam. Each episode breaks down NCARB’s objectives so you know exactly what to study – and what to skip.

PjM covers how architects manage individual projects from start to finish. Topics include:

  • Resource management and team assembly
  • Project work planning and scheduling
  • Contracts and consultant coordination
  • Project execution and delivery
  • Project quality control

PjM pairs naturally with PcM. If PcM is about running a firm, PjM is about running a project. Many candidates study them back to back since the content overlaps in areas like contracts, risk, and project delivery.

No need to take notes while you listen. For many episodes, we’ve already made a free two-page set of study notes for you – just go to the episode page and grab them.

Ready for more than a podcast? Check out our complete PjM 101 course with 14+ hours of video lessons and 180+ practice questions.

What does the PjM exam cover?

PjM covers everything involved in managing a single architecture project – assembling the team, writing contracts, coordinating consultants, controlling scope and budget, and delivering quality work. It’s the bridge between firm-level operations (PcM) and construction administration (CE).

Is PjM harder than PcM?

Most candidates find them similar in difficulty. PjM has more moving parts since it covers five exam sections versus PcM’s four, but the content feels very practical. If you’ve worked on real projects, a lot of it will feel familiar.

Where can I get free PjM study notes?

Many episodes include a free two-page set of study notes. Just go to the individual episode page, enter your email, and download them. No note-taking required – just listen.

Illustration comparing construction types I through V, showing concrete, steel, masonry, heavy timber, and wood frame structures.

Construction Types 1-5: IBC Building Classifications

Construction types are fundamental building classifications that determine everything from fire resistance to allowable heights and materials. This guide breaks down all five types of building construction as defined in the International Building Code (IBC),...

Construction worker with boxing gloves punching through a giant checklist, symbolizing the final push to complete a construction punch list.

Construction Punch List: Process, Items, and Who Creates It

Construction punch lists are the final critical step before project completion, yet there's confusion about who creates them. While many assume architects are responsible, the contractor actually creates the initial punch list - a fact...

Female architect pointing to a massive on-site chart listing construction specification types like MasterFormat, performance, and proprietary.

Types of Specifications in Construction You Need to Know

This guide demystifies all major construction specification types and helps you understand when and how to use each one. These distinctions will make you more effective at writing, interpreting, enforcing, and managing construction documents....

Rolled construction drawings and a specs book face off in a boxing ring, dramatizing the classic Drawings vs. Specifications debate in architecture.

Construction Specifications vs Drawings: Who Wins?

This guide debunks the common misconception about document precedence and explains how drawings vs specifications work together as complementary contract documents. Understanding this drawings vs specifications relationship is crucial for both ARE success and professional...

Female architect holding a book on a construction site titled “Construction Specifications 101”

Construction Specifications 101: The Project Manual Explained

Have you ever wondered why architectural specifications matter so much? Or maybe you've been avoiding them altogether because they seem intimidating or boring? I get it. Specs aren't exactly the most exciting part of architecture...

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

Construction Contingency: Types, Percentages, and How It Works

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...

Contractor behind bars while an architect holds a property lien document next to a sign reading construction bonds

Construction Bonds: Types, Costs, and How They Work

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about construction bonds and how they protect your projects. You'll learn the different types of construction bonds (including performance bonds and payment bonds), how surety bonds...

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

Public Works Projects vs Private: 12 Key Differences

 Public works projects and private projects follow completely different rules for procurement, contracts, and decision-making. Whether you’re working with government agencies or private architecture clients, understanding these differences changes how you practice. This guide...