Summary: Participating in the Architecture Billings Index takes little time each month and nets significant returns in information that will improve your firm’s competitive insight and position.

I believe the ABI is one of the most important things that AIA national component does. In times like these, you’re always trying to figure out where the market is going in terms of personnel, marketing, and projects that I would potentially be going up for. If you do the survey like we do—over the long haul—it does tend to give us a pretty good picture of where things are going.
—John Berendzen, AIA, owner and principal, Fox Architects, St. Louis

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), developed by the AIA Market Research and Economics team, predicts construction activity approximately 9 to 12 months in advance by comparing data from the monthly AIA Work-on-the-Boards survey with construction-spending figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wall Street Journal recently covered the ABI results for the 24th consecutive month, further enhancing the index’s stature as a leading economic indicator of the design and construction industry. The ABI’s reputation has only grown as economists, researchers, consultants, government agencies, and the news media continue to seek credible references during this prolonged period of economic stress.

The ABI plays an important role in helping to visualize where the economy might be headed. Since architects have a unique view of planned future construction activity, and future construction activity is a key component in gauging the future health of the overall economy, their input is important.
—Robert L. Hess, AIA, principal, Robert L. Hess AIA, Architect, Boise

Wanted: your expertise
The ABI would be impossible without a select group of architecture firm leaders who respond to a monthly survey of firm activity. The more firms that participate, the more accurate, detailed, and influential the ABI can be. That’s why we hope you will add your voice to the AIA Work-on-the-Boards panel. One panelist explained why his firm participates as follows:

We believe it’s important for firms to network with each other and share as much information as possible to stay abreast of the latest developments and trends. It also helps to define and refine the current standards of care for our profession. We’re providing a service to the profession with our feedback, and we learn about what other firms are doing and what the state of the art is in other areas.
—Larry Paul, AIA, principal, L.A. Paul & Associates, San Francisco

How you will benefit
We participate to ensure that small firms are represented. We can see a huge variation from month to month on our billings and inquiries. It is a good opportunity to reflect on some key metrics.
—Cherie Moshier, AIA, principal, Moshier Studio, Pittsburgh

Your participation expresses your commitment to the design profession and your support of fellow architects. As a survey participant, you’ll also receive your personal copy of the monthly survey report as soon as it is released. You’ll be able to compare your firm’s experience with that of similar firms in your area and across the country; get a head start on tracking the economy and local business conditions; and use the data to target business opportunities better.

The survey and the ABI are important because they provide a quick snapshot of what is happening in our industry. To know by market sector and by region what is happening helps us forecast not only potential workload trends but also what may be happening in the job market. It is a great benchmark tool.
—John Southard, AIA, partner, Hollis + Miller Architects, Overland Park, Kans.

Participation is fast and easy
Participation is not time-consuming at all. If a firm is concerned about market conditions and is always reviewing its growth strategies and bottom line, then they are already prepared to answer the questions. I found the ABI a useful tool to be able to gauge the architectural market. It does generate a better awareness for ourselves internally as we respond to the questions posed.
—John R. Urban, AIA, principal, Urban Architectural Group, Matthews, N.C.

Participation on the Work-on-the-Boards panel is by invitation only. As a panelist, you’ll receive a notice the first week of each month to participate in the survey. The survey, which is administered online, takes on average no more than 15 minutes to complete.

We have definitely benefited. I like to know what’s going on around the country, and I like to compare our business conditions to the general business conditions. I think also the ABI sometimes highlights trends that I am not seeing in my business;. seeing that there’s more focus in other firms on things. And the survey probably takes me one minute to fill out—in a year, I’ve spent a maximum of 15 minutes.
—Jill V. Akins, AIA, owner, Van Auken Akins Architects, Cleveland

The need for reliable data about our industry—and the value of the earliest possible access to it—has never been clearer. To join the survey panel or get more information, write us at workontheboards@aia.org. You may also join the panel simply by completing the online background information form.

Because the more you know about reality, the better you plan.
—Joseph M. Pahl, AIA, principal, Pahl Architecture, Denver