This sharing was first published on LinkedIn on 28 December 2023. I was in a particularly reflective mood having just spent a full four years in Japan and also having had the most productive year in my life thus far as a consultant.
I would highly recommend picking up Matthew Frederick’s 101 Things I learned in Architecture School” for just about anyone interested in knowing what makes our buildings not just beautiful but also meaningful.
One thing I do like about the work I do is that I am always challenged to learn something new and apply it for the client’s best interests. It’s what keeps both my clients and me engaged.
But on a Saturday two weeks ago, I was in a cafe when I chanced upon a book that had nothing to do with IT or Strategy. It was a little book about Architecture, specifically the 101 things Matthew Frederick learnt in school.
And though tips like knowing how to best roll drawings for transportation or storage are not immediately relevant, there are quite a few other takeaways. Especially at this time of the year, when one can’t help but reflect on the how the year has passed and to look forward to the year ahead.
So here are just 3 simple parallels I’d like to share between consulting, as I have experienced it to date, and architecture, as distilled in this book.
1. Parti.
This is a term referring to the central idea or concept of a building, and is usually expressed as a diagram representing the general floor plan. It is usually of non-architectural origin and informs the form of the building. When creating slides to best convey complex concepts, there is always that temptation to create something fancy and to cram details into the landscape. But my best work usually come from always nailing down the key points and understanding how they are related. Ideally in a single, unified way. And this book taught me that there is already a term for this.
2. Specificity.
The more specific a design idea, the more attractive it will likely be. Some of the most awe-striking architecture we see are deeply imbued with their purpose, symbolism and background. At Gartner, I do have the privilege of having access to the most cutting edge market research and trends in IT around the world. And while this is indeed valuable, what truly makes a difference is when this research serves as an input amongst others, elevated through rigorous analysis. When a client, who may not have the know-how or experience, is able to comprehend why this research matters specifically to them and not all the other players, that’s when I know I’ve done my work.
3. Generalist.
An architect knows something about everything; an engineer knows everything about one thing. There have been too many times when I feel inadequate because I do not feel like I know enough in a subject matter compared to colleagues who have spent years honing in that area. But the thing is, in most of my roles to-date and in this career stage, a consultant is more akin to an architect than an engineer. One just has to know enough of each discipline, and be willing to learn and reach out to resources that know enough to honor the needs of the client.
The coffee was cold by the time I was done, but these musings did leave me warm inside.
Wishing everyone a great year ahead.
Jin Pang 