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Course Descriptions

The 2008-2009 program is underway and is no longer accepting applications Single courses may be available Next program starts: Autumn 2009 Details will be posted in Spring Program location: Seattle Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>   Download a program overview >>

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Course Topics

Students will explore a series of insights that will help them master all levels of Design Firm Management—from planning to implementation. Taught in three parts, weaving seamlessly from general to specific, students will gain an understanding of the following topics:

• Practice management – setting a foundation for the successful design firm; loose fit vs. tight fit; designing the right operational structure
• Leadership - leaders who feed others (bring work); leaders who inspire others (motivate); and leaders who enable others (facilitate)
• Financial management - cash flow vs. profitability; choosing the right indicators to manage firm growth
• Technology management - making strategic technology choices; knowledge management
• The strategy of the strategy - strategy as a driver for the design firm
• The design of the strategy - getting the work; marketing strategy; market research
• The implementation of the strategy - managing the client relationship
• Risk management - risk sharing and forms of agreement
• People management - managing creativity; how to inspire and motivate design professionals
• Interpersonal skills - behavioral insights regarding leadership and management skills

Autumn Course

Design Firm Leadership & Management: Part I (ARCH 598)

Schedule: (10 sessions) Mondays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Sept. 29-Dec. 1, 2008; $1,800; 3 graduate-level credits.*
Instructors: Richard Hobbs and Roger Williams.

Winter Course

Design Firm Leadership & Management: Part 2 (ARCH 598)

Schedule: (9 sessions) Mondays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Jan. 5-Mar. 16, 2009; (no class Jan. 19 and Feb. 16); $1,800; 3 graduate-level credits.*
Instructors: Richard Hobbs, Robert Mattox, and Roger Williams.

Spring Course

Design Firm Leadership & Management: Part 3 (ARCH 598)

Schedule: (10 sessions) Mondays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., March 30-June 8 2009 (no class May 25); $1,800; 3 graduate-level credits.*
Instructors: Richard Hobbs, Robert Mattox, and Roger Williams.

* Individuals who are not currently enrolled in a graduate program, but who plan to apply the credits toward a masters degree in the future, should register for courses in this program as a graduate nonmatriculated student (GNM). See the section on Applying course credits toward a graduate degree.

How to sign up for individual enrollment in this course