Study of employer needs in small architectural design firms and guidelines for skill development and work practices of freelance architects
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Abstract
At present, small architectural design firms are increasingly employing specialized freelance architects to accommodate fluctuating workloads during periods when full-time staff are unable to meet required timelines and standards, as well as to reduce labor and employee welfare costs. Concurrently, freelance architectural practice has been growing among younger generations who prioritize income potential and flexibility in their lifestyles. This study aims to investigate employer needs and satisfaction factors within small architectural design firms that engage freelance architects, as well as to propose guidelines for improving the working practices of freelance architects. The study employs the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) technique, a tool for enhancing the quality of products and services in order to effectively meet client requirements and achieve satisfaction. The sample group consists of employers from small architectural design firms with experience in hiring freelance architects, and freelance architects with no less than five years of professional experience. The findings indicate that, when considering employer needs alongside experience and expectations—analyzed through Absolute Weight prioritization—three critical factors requiring urgent improvement are identified: 1) the integration and consistency between architectural design, engineering, and related systems 2) the ability to respond to and resolve problems promptly; and 3) compliance with professional standards and relevant regulations. Regarding operational development guidelines, the top three priority recommendations for freelance architects are: 1) possessing at least three completed design and construction projects within the past five years, supported by verification documents; 2) maintaining comprehensive communication channels with the ability to respond within 24 hours; and 3) the capability to efficiently deliver urgent design revisions during the construction phase.
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