Workflows That Scale: 5 Systems Every Architecture Firm Needs to Grow Profitably
1 AIA LU
Behind every profitable firm isn’t just great design—it’s great systems. In this session, Kirsten Barrie of Verte Consulting breaks down five essential workflows that help architecture firms move from chaos to clarity. Her core belief? You can’t scale without increasing capacity—and you can’t increase capacity without dialing in your workflows.
Whether you’re constantly reinventing your pricing, unsure how much time your team is spending, or struggling to forecast cash flow, this talk will show you how simple but strategic systems can unlock profit, performance, and peace of mind.
We’ll explore the workflows that shape your entire business lifecycle—from first client inquiry to final invoice, from time tracking to team planning. With examples from real architecture and creative firms, you’ll walk away with practical tools to assess and upgrade your own operations.
Learning Objectives:
Clarify your client onboarding workflow to reduce scope creep and set up projects for success from day one.
Align delivery and billing systems to ensure time, scope, and cash flow are connected—not siloed.
Implement task and time-tracking practices that drive visibility without micromanaging your team.
Establish financial review and forecasting rhythms that help you make smarter decisions, plan staffing, and avoid burnout.
Identify workflow bottlenecks that limit capacity.
Speaker
Kirsten Barrie
Kirsten Barrie is the founder of Verte Consulting, a firm that designs financial and operational systems to help architecture and professional services firms scale profitably. With over two decades of experience guiding multimillion-dollar businesses, she brings a strategic lens to workflows, forecasting, and financial infrastructure. Kirsten and her team specialize in building integrated back-office systems using best-in-class tools for project management, billing, and reporting—so firms stop flying blind and start growing with clarity.
The Business of Architecture Series is brought to you by Portland Millwork
