AIA Iowa. Best Practices Recommendations: Firm Survey Tool and How to Use It. Anna Jones, Assoc. AIA Laura Kessel, PLA, LEED AP #A203.

Transcription

1 AIA Iowa #A203 Best Practices Recommendations: Firm Survey Tool and How to Use It Workshop 01 Anna Jones, Assoc. AIA Laura Kessel, PLA, LEED AP April 15, 2015

2 Panelists Jill Goedken, AIA, Director INVISION, Des Moines Josh Baker, AIA, LEED AP, Architect Substance, Des Moines Phil Hodgin, AIA, Principal RDG, Des Moines

3 Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-aia members are available upon request. This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

4 Copyright Materials This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited. Iowa Women in Architecture 2015

5 Course Description Following up on the Fall 2013 and 2014 workshops, Iowa Women in Architecture(iaWia) presents a moderated panel discussion to demonstrate one way in which the Best Practice Recommendations can be used as a tool to assess, revise, and implement human resources practices and policies in the workplace that align with both firm values and employee priorities. The white paper of the BPR Document was launched in 2014 after two years of panel discussions, initial surveys, research, and firm leader round tables. The BPR Document is research based and actionoriented, intended to be used as a tool. iawia has created a survey tool based on the recommendations in the document. Local firms will share their experience with this tool. We will discuss how the firms used the survey as a tool, what the survey revealed, and whether they have and/or intend to revise existing policies/practices based on their findings.

6 Learning Objectives At the end of the this course, participants will be able to: 1. Identify the basic recommendations for human resources best practices as outlined in Iowa Women in Architecture's "Best Practices Recommendations for The Design Profession". 2. Understand how local firms have used the survey tool to assess the state of policies and practices in their firms, and identify ways in which the survey tool can be used to revise, modify, and implement practices and policies that align with the philosophy and values in your own firm. 3. Identify common challenges to changing human resources policies, practices and perceptions; and discuss ways to overcome these challenges. 4. Develop and implement practices and policies tailored for your firm/organization that follow the firm's values and address interests and concerns of employees.

7 Educating Communities, Empowering Individuals, and Advancing Women in Design.

8 50.8% 41% 18% Female Population in the U.S. Female Architecture Students Female Architecture Members of the AIA

9 Our Mission: to support and promote women involved in design and construction of the built environment by: Increasing the visibility of women in design and related fields; by advocating for issues relevant to women within design professions; by advancing women in leadership positions; and by leading discussion about cultural change in design professions.

10 What we do: Quarterly Educational Events: Thriving Amongst Chaos keynote presentation; AIA IA Workshop 2014: Best Practices and Flexible Work Options: Case Studies in Practice ; Panel Discussion: Having Difficult Discussions and Tackling Tough Topics in the Workplace ; AIA Workshop 2013: Striking the Balance: The Status of Life and Work at Iowa Firms ; Women and Leadership: Mary Stier Connects ; Women in Leadership Film Screening; Human Resources Best Practices Work-Life Balance Panel Discussion Outreach Activities: iawia Student Group at Iowa State University, Mentor/Mentee Program Sponsor of the 2015 Public Interest Design Institute in Ames, IA Statewide Outreach Informal Member Socials: Speed Mentoring Bi-Monthly Lunch or Breakfast Social

11 What we do: Sponsor Research Initiatives: Best Practice Recommendations for the Design Profession (BPR) Why? To address recruitment, retention and advancement issues in our profession for women and men. To apply the spirit of innovation to the management of our practices. Background: Series of iawia events held in 2012 and 2013 regarding work-life balance. Task force developed a set of best practice recommendations. Recommendations: Recommendations are actionoriented, research-based and draw from our 2012 and 2013 events.

12 BPR Recommendations 28 Recommendations in five categories The document is available for complete download on our website,

13 BPR Survey: Purpose: A tool based on the BPR Document that allows firms to internally analyze their existing policies and practices. To reveal employee s perception and awareness of policies. To make known employee s values of policies and to match those values with firm policies and values. To use in conjunction with the BPR Document as an additional resource for creating practices and policies that further enhance the sustainability of the profession and improve the culture of the work place.

14 BPR Survey: How it Works Based on the 5 Topic Recommendation Categories from the BPR Document:

15 BPR Survey: How it Works Basic Demographics

16 BPR Survey: How it Works Questions related to each BPR Recommendation Category

17 BPR Survey: How it Works Questions on Overall Policy Satisfaction

18 BPR Survey: How it Works Example Question

19 BPR Survey: How it Works Example Analysis

20 BPR Survey: How it Works How to use the BPR Document

21 BPR Survey: How it Works How to use the BPR Document HOW WHAT WHY

22 BPR Survey: How it Works How to use the BPR Document ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

23 BPR Survey: Firm Testing Four firms agreed to test the survey: InVision Architecture RDG Planning & Design substance architecture Simonson & Associates Architects Each firm was given a unique link to the survey. Analysis & data provided to each firm: Data/graphs for all firm respondents as well as comparative analysis (e.g., male vs. female, years of experience, etc.) Response highlights areas of strength and areas for improvement Individual firm results are not publicized.

24 Panelist Questions How has the survey supported or inspired human resource or best practice initiatives within your firm? What is something you learned specifically, and how are you working to revise that? What surprised you most about your results? What have you found to be some of the best practices in revising and implementing new policies? Who are the decision makers? Who is involved? What is the process for revising and implementing new policies? How is the information shared? Describe (if applicable) where the survey revealed that your employee s perceptions of your policies may not match with your firm s values. How do you balance formal, written policies with informal or unwritten cultural policies? What are some of the biggest challenges in creating a workplace environment that meets both the needs of your employees and the needs of your business? What did the survey reveal about these common challenges to you? In some instances, the survey results revealed a lack of awareness of some policies. How does your firm currently address or plan to address the persistent challenge of not just communicating policies, but making people aware of policies?

25 What s Next: Survey: Revisions based on feedback from the initial survey respondents will occur within the next month. Aggregated survey data to participating firms and for educational events. BPR Case Studies: Lessons learned based on implementation of a specific best practice. Your involvement is important! Please contact iawia if you would like to participate in a survey, submit a Case Study or nominate a firm to submit a Case Study. Sign up on your way out or us at iawomenarch@gmail.com.

26 This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course Best Practice Recommendations: Firm Survey Tool & How to Use It AIA Iowa #A203 Workshop 01 Contact Information Anna Jones, Assoc. AIA & Laura Kessel, PLA, LEED AP website: iawomenarch.org

27 BPR Survey: WHY??? Awareness & Communication of Policies Improve/Implement Policies Increase Employee Satisfaction Improve Office Culture Help to Advance the Profession This was an eye opener, and I encourage every firm to do this. - Mike Simonson, Simonson & Associates

28 BPR Case Studies

29 BPR Survey: Survey Snapshot Career Development Level of satisfaction with policies/practices regarding Career Development (5 = very satisfied; 1 = very dissatisfied) Lattice Career Path Opportunities Continuing Education Leadership Opportunities Professional Goal Setting Volunteering & Community Building Mentorship Program 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% N/A