Smarter by Design

Knowledge Architecture
  • 4.5 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT

The Smarter by Design podcast explores how leading architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are reimagining knowledge management, learning, and AI to build smarter, more adaptive practices. Hosted by Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, the show dives into the real stories behind how firms are scaling expertise, transforming culture, and creating modern learning organizations. At the heart of the show is a simple belief: AEC firms should spend as much time designing their businesses as they do designing buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. The systems we design for capturing, sharing, and distributing knowledge shape everything else we create. Through thoughtful conversations with AEC leaders, knowledge managers, and innovators, we explore how design, leadership, and technology intersect to shape the future of practice. If you’re curious about how AEC firms are learning faster, working smarter, and designing better ways to grow—this is your show.

Episodes

  1. Maximizing the Value of Learning & Development Investments | Chris and Susan of Knowledge Architecture

    APR 1

    Maximizing the Value of Learning & Development Investments | Chris and Susan of Knowledge Architecture

    In this episode of the Smarter by Design podcast, Susan Strom and I discuss The Modern Learning Organization Pipeline—a framework for helping AEC firms prioritize and maximize the return on their learning and development investments. For decades, most AEC learning programs have relied on familiar formats: lunch-and-learns, live training sessions, and recorded presentations. But a new generation of tools—AI search, modern intranets, modular learning systems, and knowledge agents—is dramatically increasing the potential ROI of learning assets. When knowledge can be searched instantly, accessed on demand, and revisited whenever someone needs it, learning assets become far more valuable than they used to be. That shift creates a new challenge: how do firms decide where to invest their time and energy? You can’t manage all the knowledge in your firm. So the real question becomes: which knowledge and learning investments produce the greatest return? In this conversation, Susan and I walk through how to identify, prioritize, and design high-impact learning experiences in AEC firms using the Modern Learning Organization Pipeline. Along the way, we explore: Why AEC firms need to evolve into modern learning organizationsHow firms can maximize the value of learning and development investmentsThe DESIRE framework, a practical tool for prioritizing learning opportunitiesWhy learning experiences should increasingly be treated like productsHow firms are modernizing learning experiences for the AI eraHow learning content can become searchable organizational knowledgeWhy learner involvement and piloting are essential to good learning designThe rise of dedicated knowledge and learning roles inside AEC firms Underlying the discussion is a broader idea: the industry is entering a platform shift in how knowledge, learning, and expertise are developed and distributed. As AI-powered knowledge and learning platforms like Synthesis make knowledge more accessible and reusable, the potential return on learning investments is rising dramatically. The challenge for firms is where to invest their time and energy to create the greatest impact. If you’re leading an AEC firm and wondering where to invest in learning, knowledge, and capability building, this episode introduces a practical framework for prioritizing the opportunities that will matter most. Episode ResourcesThe Modern Learning Organization Pipeline: https://www.knowledge-architecture.com/blog/the-modern-learning-organization-pipeline-for-aec-firms GuestsChristopher Parsons, Founder & CEO, Knowledge Architecture As Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, Christopher is responsible for product design, marketing strategy, and organizational health. He is the host of the Smarter by Design podcast and the author of Smarter by Design, a bi-weekly newsletter exploring how leading AEC firms manage information, share knowledge, and build learning organizations. He is also the executive producer of KA Connect, Knowledge Architecture’s annual knowledge and learning management conference for the AEC industry. Christopher has been a technology leader in the AEC industry since 2002, including serving as Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Architects and as Information Technology Director for SMWM (now Perkins+Will). Susan Strom, Chief Client Officer, Knowledge Architecture As our Chief Client Officer, Susan ensures our clients have the resources they need to be successful. Those resources include best practices, training, documentation, and a team of Knowledge Architecture experts who guide our clients every step of the way. During her time at Knowledge Architecture, Susan has led nearly 200 AEC intranet implementations, produced dozens of intranet case studies, and been instrumental in building our client community and client success program. Her previous roles in human resources, construction management, and engineering systems at Mazzetti and Gilbane Building Company allow her to draw upon a broad range of industry experiences to help our clients succeed. CreditsHost: Christopher Parsons Executive Producers: Denise Parsons, Christopher Parsons Editor: Coe Hoeksema Theme Song: “We Took the BART” — Written and Performed by The Parents Chapters(00:00) Episode Introduction (03:00) Why Become a Modern Learning Organization (07:17) Where Marketing and Learning Strategies Converge (09:38) The Modern Learning Organization Pipeline (15:25) DESIRE: A Framework for Prioritizing Learning Investments (21:02) Why Demand and Enthusiasm Matter (24:36) Slow Down to Go Fast: Plan First (28:55) Defining Quality in Learning Design (33:28) How Hybrid Learning Compounds Value (37:42) Design for Retrieval, Not Just Delivery (40:04) From Linear to Just-in-Time Learning (43:29) Why Firms Invest in Learning Roles (50:12) Build a Solid Knowledge Foundation for People + AI (55:39) Involve Learners in the Design Process (01:01:25) Treat Learning Like a Product (01:07:02) Measure Activity, Experience, and Outcomes (01:11:51) Balance Strategy with Progress (01:13:36) Closing

    1h 16m
  2. What Will It Mean to Be An Expert in 2030? | Chris Myers of Johns Hopkins University

    MAR 4

    What Will It Mean to Be An Expert in 2030? | Chris Myers of Johns Hopkins University

    In this episode of the Smarter by Design podcast, I’m joined by Christopher Myers, Peetz Family Professor of Leadership and Faculty Director of the Center for Innovative Leadership at Johns Hopkins University, for a wide-ranging conversation about expertise, learning, and how AI is reshaping knowledge-intensive organizations like healthcare providers and AEC firms. Christopher studies how professionals learn from experience and from one another. Together, we explore what happens when AI becomes extraordinarily good at synthesizing information but still struggles with judgment, context, and tacit nuance. In fields like healthcare, architecture, and engineering—where decisions carry real liability and long feedback loops—the distinction between synthesis and judgment matters deeply. We examine a growing paradox: In the near future AI may be able to perform much of the “junior work” that once served as the apprenticeship path to becoming an expert. If AI creates the slide decks, drafts the notes, checks the drawings, and summarizes the literature, how do emerging professionals gain the reps, exposure, and judgment that traditionally came from doing those tasks? And if organizations eliminate junior roles in pursuit of efficiency, what happens to the future pipeline of senior expertise? The conversation also explores how expertise actually forms. Christopher shares his research on vicarious learning—how professionals learn from stories, informal conversations, and communities of practice—and why hybrid work may be compressing or eroding some of those learning opportunities. We discuss why informal knowledge sharing sometimes outperforms formal systems, and how simulation and AI-powered scenarios may offer new ways to scale apprenticeship in the future. At the center of the episode is a deeper question: What will it mean to be an expert in 2030? As AI raises the “standard of care” across industries, leaders must rethink not only how work gets done, but how judgment, responsibility, and organizational intelligence are developed over time. If you’re leading an AEC firm and wondering how AI will affect your talent pipeline, apprenticeship model, or long-term expertise, this conversation offers a thoughtful and research-backed perspective on what may lie ahead. GuestChristopher Myers, Peetz Family Professor of Leadership and Faculty Director of the Center for Innovative Leadership at Johns Hopkins University Christopher G. Myers, PhD is the inaugural Peetz Family Professor of Leadership, Professor of Management and (jointly) of Medicine and Public Health, and the founding Faculty Director of the Center for Innovative Leadership at the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. His research and teaching focus on individual learning, leadership development, and innovation, with particular attention to how people learn vicariously and share knowledge in health care organizations and other knowledge-intensive work environments. Chris’s research has been published in premier academic journals in the fields of management and medicine and he has received a variety of awards and honors for his work, including being named by Poets & Quants as one of the top 40 business school professors under 40 world-wide. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University, Chris was on the faculty of the Harvard Business School and received his PhD from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. CreditsHost: Christopher Parsons Executive Producers: Denise Parsons, Christopher Parsons Editor: Coe Hoeksema Theme Song: “We Took the BART” — Written and Performed by The Parents Episode ResourcesResearch and Publications by Christopher Myers Informal Peer Interaction and Practice Type as Predictors of Physician Performance on Maintenance of Certification Examinations, Valentine et al. (JAMA Surgery, 2014) Chapters(00:00) Introduction (02:42) Predictions for Knowledge & Learning Organizations in 2030 (05:45) AI’s Strength in Synthesis and Limits in Creativity (10:11) Human Judgement, Context, and the Missing AI Feedback Loop (14:23) Beyond Synthesis: When You Still Need Dialogue and Pushback (17:12) How AI Changes Standard of Care Expectations in Healthcare (22:33) Why Medical Education Still Tests “Old” Expertise (26:03) How Clinicians Actually Learn: ChatGPT, Google, and YouTube (28:07) Why “Regular YouTube” Sometimes Beats Internal KM Systems (31:52) Thought Leadership Incentives: Why Experts Share Publicly (34:09) Facebook Community of Practice for Robotic Surgeons (39:07) The Power of Informal + Formal Learning (40:44) The Power of Vicarious Learning (44:21) Serendipity vs Orchestration in Learning Design (45:41) The Role of AI in Vicarious Learning (50:13) Developing Experts Through Simulation (56:15) The Negative Impact of Hybrid Work on Workplace Relationships (01:01:39) The Broken Deal: Juniors, Menial Work, and Developing Experts (01:05:34) The AI–Expertise Paradox and the Weakening Pipeline (01:10:57) Retention as a Knowledge Management Strategy (01:13:55) When Apprenticeship Breaks: Shifting the Training Models (01:19:59) Why Leaders Embrace AI Despite the Risks (01:23:04) Perspectives on Learning in a Remote Work Environment (01:25:41) The Normalization of Remote Work (01:30:35) Matching the Modality: On-Demand vs In-Person Learning (01:33:06) Closing

    1h 35m
  3. What the Best Synthesis Teams Do Differently | Susan Strom of Knowledge Architecture

    FEB 18

    What the Best Synthesis Teams Do Differently | Susan Strom of Knowledge Architecture

    In this episode of Smarter by Design, I talk with Susan Strom, Chief Client Officer at Knowledge Architecture, about the patterns she’s seen across the most successful Synthesis teams. Drawing on years of implementation experience, Susan explains how great teams build momentum, lead change intentionally, and bring people into the process one person at a time. We explore the human side of intranet, LMS, and AI Search rollouts—what strong project champions do, how they prepare their organizations, and the leadership behaviors that consistently set teams up for long-term success. Whether you're evaluating Synthesis, preparing for a new implementation, or trying to take Synthesis to the next level at your firm, this conversation offers practical insight into what the best teams do differently. GuestsSusan Strom, Chief Client Officer, Knowledge Architecture As our Chief Client Officer, Susan ensures our clients have the resources they need to be successful. Those resources include best practices, training, documentation, and a team of Knowledge Architecture experts who guide our clients every step of the way. During her time at Knowledge Architecture, Susan has led nearly 200 AEC intranet implementations, produced dozens of intranet case studies, and been instrumental in building our client community and client success program. Her previous roles in human resources, construction management, and engineering systems at Mazzetti and Gilbane Building Company allow her to draw upon a broad range of industry experiences to help our clients succeed. Episode Resources📗 "What I’ve Learned from Our Best Synthesis Intranet Implementation Project Managers" article on Linkedin ✅ Streamline Your Operations with the Essential Content Checklist CreditsHost: Christopher Parsons Executive Producers: Denise Parsons, Christopher Parsons Editor: Coe Hoeksema Theme Song: “We Took the BART” — Written and Performed by The Parents Chapters(00:00) Introduction (02:48) What Does a Chief Client Officer Do? (05:45) Inspiration for the Article (08:27) 1: They Understand How Your Firm Ticks (13:25) 2: They're Strong Change Leaders (20:11) Implementation as a Professional Growth Opportunity (22:08) 5: They Have the Time and Space to Lead (24:20) 4: They Represent Both Practice and Operations (29:16) 3: They Influence With or Without Authority (31:33) When do firms struggle with implementation? (33:26) Intranet Success Mindset Post-Launch (36:51) Who is Best to Sustain and Grow the Intranet Post Launch? (39:32) It's About Change Management (43:40) The Role of the Executive Sponsor (49:24) Just Start: The Right People Will Emerge (50:57) The KA Community Factor (53:10) Future Goals: Codifying Ongoing Strategy (56:54) Closing

    1 hr
  4. Why AEC Firms Are Leveling Up as Learning Organizations Now | Turner Fleischer and Greenprint Partners

    FEB 4

    Why AEC Firms Are Leveling Up as Learning Organizations Now | Turner Fleischer and Greenprint Partners

    In this episode of the Smarter by Design podcast, I’m joined by Ellen Bensky, CEO of Turner Fleischer, and Nicole Chavas, President and COO of Greenprint Partners, for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to level up as a learning organization in the AEC industry. As both firms evolve beyond primarily live and synchronous training models, Ellen and Nicole share how they’re building systems to deliver the right knowledge, to the right people, at the right time—while reducing overload and lifting the burden from learning leaders to serve as “air traffic controllers.” We explore how integrating their learning management systems with their intranets and AI Search is helping their teams access critical information in the flow of work, as well as how that shift is also encouraging more subject matter experts to contribute knowledge, knowing it will reach the right audience at the right moment. We also dive into the mindset shifts required to scale learning effectively. From navigating the balance between live and on-demand learning, to designing hybrid programs that combine asynchronous content with meaningful human interaction, Ellen and Nicole show how their teams are rethinking training as a design problem—one centered on empathy, access, and adaptability. This episode is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how two growing firms are building learning organizations that reflect the pace of modern practice, the needs of emerging professionals, and the realities of day-to-day AEC work. If you’re grappling with learning at scale, looking to reduce information overload, or wondering how to balance video, in-person, and AI-powered tools, this conversation offers fresh insight and practical ideas. GuestsEllen Bensky | Principal, CEO, CFO, Turner Fleischer Ellen Bensky is a transformative leader at Turner Fleischer, guiding the Toronto-based firm’s growth into a dynamic Studio specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Experiential Graphic Design. Her unique 35-year journey as a non-architect to becoming Principal, CEO, and CFO is a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. Her innovative approach has redefined the traditional business model of the industry, emphasizing that operational teams are the foundation of a successful AEC practice rather than an overhead burden, allowing designers to focus on design. She has strengthened the Studio’s technological capabilities by developing a Digital Practice team with deep expertise, integrating advanced tools and systems to digitize both the practice and their projects. She is dedicated to driving social change, embedding a culture of community engagement within the studio. Weaving social impact into the fabric of the studio’s culture, she empowers Studio members to give back to the communities they live and build in, in meaningful ways. Ellen is deeply passionate about education and lifelong learning. She established TF Academy to support continuous growth and development for all studio members. Her unwavering dedication to sharing knowledge and lessons learned inspires her to speak globally and challenge the industry’s status quo. Nicole Chavas | President and COO, Greenprint Partners Nicole is President & COO of Greenprint Partners, a Chicago-based urban planning, civil engineering and landscape architecture firm. In leading all aspects of firm operations, she brings a passion for rallying resources, talent and partnerships to scale sustainable infrastructure—a passion that has informed her approach to team leadership and company growth since 2014. Nicole's love of learning is inherent in every initiative she leads. Whether it’s spearheading a proposal, accelerating adoption of a new knowledge management system or recruiting and onboarding employees, she is committed to transparency, collaboration and continuous learning every step of the way. She is inspired by the knowledge and interests of every Greenprint team member and seeks to foster a flexible, inclusive and mission-oriented company culture that supports the personal and professional growth of all employees. Episode Resources📗 The Living Company by Arie De Geus 📺 The Hidden Benefits of Developing a Teaching Organization (Ellen Bensky | KA Connect 2019) CreditsHost: Christopher Parsons Executive Producers: Denise Parsons, Christopher Parsons Editor: Coe Hoeksema Theme Song: “We Took the BART” — Written and Performed by The Parents Chapters(00:00) Introduction (03:18) Synthesis LMS Beta Insights (05:30) Drivers for Implementing an LMS (06:46) Building Intentional Learning Paths: Onboarding (09:05) Creating Quality Training Content (10:45) Reducing Information Overload (13:06) Air Traffic Control vs Broadcasting (14:28) Synthesis Implementation at Greenprint (17:45) L&D + KM are Core Business Strategies at Turner Fleischer (23:24) The Value of SOPs + AI Search + Agents (28:26) Combining Asynchronous Content + Synchronous Connection (35:24) Navigating Organizational and Technological Change (38:49) Developing Learning Organizations by Design (42:58) KA Community: Developing LMS Best Practices Together (44:53) Leveling Up While Teaching

    49 min
  5. Redesigning Learning for the Next Generation of AEC Talent | Dan Hottinger and Kari Shonblom of BWBR

    JAN 6

    Redesigning Learning for the Next Generation of AEC Talent | Dan Hottinger and Kari Shonblom of BWBR

    In this episode of the Smarter by Design podcast, I’m joined by Dan Hottinger, Principal and Director of Professional Services at BWBR, and Kari Shonblom, Knowledge Manager at BWBR, for a deep conversation about how their firm is redesigning learning to meet the realities of today’s AEC industry and the expectations of the next generation of talent. Dan and Kari take us inside BWBR’s Landmark Learning program, a decade-long effort to help emerging professionals build judgment, confidence, and technical fluency faster than experience alone would allow. We explore how BWBR uses quality assurance (QA) and construction administration (CA) feedback loops to identify recurring gaps in practice, translate real project issues into targeted learning, and continuously evolve what and how the firm teaches technical skills to emerging professionals. Along the way, we talk about how learning itself is changing. As the next generation of AEC professionals has grown up searching first, watching short-form videos, and expecting knowledge on demand, BWBR is rethinking traditional training models. Dan and Kari share how the firm is experimenting with shorter, more focused content while preserving the value of longer, story-driven sessions where context, judgment, and tacit knowledge can be shared. The conversation also explores a hybrid approach to learning: pairing on-demand resources with live discussion, designing learning paths that evolve across career stages, and connecting technical instruction with the softer skills—such as communication, leadership, and decision-making—that become critical over time. At the center of it all is a simple but demanding idea: learning only matters if it shows up as improvement in the work. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how learning, QA, and career development can be woven into a single system that allows BWBR to develop talent from within, adapt to changing expectations, and build resilient expertise over time. If you’re thinking about how your AEC firm can redesign learning for a new generation, connect knowledge management to real project outcomes, or move beyond training as a one-off event, this conversation is for you. GuestsDan Hottinger | Principal, Director of Professional Services, BWBR Dan’s attention to detail has served him well throughout nearly three decades at BWBR. He specializes in projects that have highly technical requirements and logistical challenges, providing hands-on management on total project design and documentation, effectively orchestrating collaboration between the in-house design team, engineering/specialty consultants, and contracting partners. Dan brings his passion for teaching into the development of BWBR's learning initiatives such as the Landmark Learning Sessions. Kari Shonblom | Knowledge Manager, BWBR Kari Shonblom is a Knowledge Manager at BWBR, where she leads intranet development and advances knowledge-sharing and learning initiatives across the firm. A systems thinker with a passion for data and process improvement, she bridges big-picture strategy with thoughtful, practical execution – connecting people to the resources they need to work better, faster, and smarter. Resources📺 Teach Them How to Fish: Enhancing Technical Learning with KM Strategies (KA Connect2017 Talk) 📕 The Leadership Pipeline by Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter, and James Noel 📕 The Specialist Pipeline by Kent Jonasen CreditsHost: Christopher Parsons Executive Producers: Denise Parsons, Christopher Parsons Editor: Coe Hoeksema Theme Song: “We Took the BART” — Written and Performed by The Parents Chapters(00:00) Introduction (04:04) Landmark Learning Program Structure and Evolution (12:20) Soft Skills for Emerging and Established Professionals (14:56) Curriculum Development and Content Curation (20:27) Using QA and CA Feedback to Identify Key Training Topics (26:57) The Right Knowledge at the Right Time (28:07) Reimagining AEC Learning for the Google Generation (37:38) Hybrid Approach: Pairing On-Demand Content with Story-Driven Sessions (40:45) Content Curation and Findability (44:37) Designing Learning Paths for Every Stage of an AEC Career (48:50) The Challenge of Knowledge Transfer (52:03) Draft and Develop: Building AEC Talent from Within (59:22) Reimagining AEC Career Development for a New Generation (01:12:32) Future Goals for Landmark Learning Learning at BWBR (01:16:16) How Has Your Perspective on the Program Changed? (01:19:49) Lessons Learned (01:25:38) Closing

    1h 28m
  6. Welcome to the Smarter by Design Podcast!

    12/23/2025

    Welcome to the Smarter by Design Podcast!

    The Smarter by Design podcast explores how leading architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are reimagining knowledge management, learning, and AI to build smarter, more adaptive practices. Hosted by Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, the show dives into the real stories behind how firms are scaling expertise, transforming culture, and creating modern learning organizations. At the heart of the show is a simple belief: AEC firms should spend as much time designing their businesses as they do designing buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. The systems we design for capturing, sharing, and distributing knowledge shape everything else we create. Through thoughtful conversations with AEC leaders, knowledge managers, and innovators, we explore how design, leadership, and technology intersect to shape the future of practice. If you’re curious about how AEC firms are learning faster, working smarter, and designing better ways to grow—this is your show.

    6 min

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4.5
out of 5
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About

The Smarter by Design podcast explores how leading architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are reimagining knowledge management, learning, and AI to build smarter, more adaptive practices. Hosted by Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, the show dives into the real stories behind how firms are scaling expertise, transforming culture, and creating modern learning organizations. At the heart of the show is a simple belief: AEC firms should spend as much time designing their businesses as they do designing buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. The systems we design for capturing, sharing, and distributing knowledge shape everything else we create. Through thoughtful conversations with AEC leaders, knowledge managers, and innovators, we explore how design, leadership, and technology intersect to shape the future of practice. If you’re curious about how AEC firms are learning faster, working smarter, and designing better ways to grow—this is your show.

Information

  • Creator
    Knowledge Architecture
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Knowledge Architecture, all rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Smarter by Design

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