LIBRARY // OUTSOURCING ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTION

Dedicated Team vs Project-Based Outsourcing

Some practices want the same people every month. Others want help only when a project needs it. Both models can work.

Architectural outsourcing usually follows one of two broad models. In a dedicated team model, a team works on your projects on an ongoing basis. In a project-based model, work is scoped and delivered package by package. Each suits different situations.

The dedicated team model

A dedicated team works as an extension of your office, often with the same people over time.

Benefits:

• The team learns your standards, clients and preferences
• Less briefing needed over time
• Flexible priorities across projects
• Easier long-term planning

Considerations:

• Needs a steady flow of work
• Requires ongoing management and communication
• Works best with clear priorities and regular meetings

The project-based model

Each package of work is scoped with defined deliverables and timescales.

Benefits:

• Clear scope for each package
• Suitable for occasional or one-off needs
• Easy to start and stop

Considerations:

• Each package needs a full brief
• Team members may change between packages
• Scope changes need managing carefully

Choosing a model

Consider:

• Workload pattern: steady work suits a dedicated team, while occasional peaks suit project-based work
• Type of work: ongoing production suits a dedicated team, while defined tasks suit project-based work
• Management capacity: a dedicated team needs regular coordination
• Standards: a dedicated team builds familiarity with office standards faster

Hybrid approaches

Some practices start project based, then move to a dedicated team as workload grows. Others keep a small dedicated team and add project-based support during peaks.

Setting up a dedicated team

• Agree roles and skills needed
• Share standards and templates
• Set regular meetings and communication channels
• Agree how priorities will be set
• Plan training on office standards

Setting up project-based work

• Write a clear brief with scope and deliverables
• Agree timescales and review points
• Define how changes will be handled
• Agree file exchange and naming

Continuity

Whichever model is used, continuity of people helps quality. Ask partners how they manage continuity, and keep a written record of standards so new team members can get up to speed.

Review the arrangement

Write down the arrangement

Whichever model you choose, record how it works: who sets priorities, how work is requested, how reviews happen and how changes are handled. A short operating note avoids misunderstandings and helps new people on both sides.

1. 01The dedicated team model
2. 02The project-based model
3. 03Choosing a model
4. 04Hybrid approaches
5. 05Setting up a dedicated team
6. 06Setting up project-based work

Start small either way

Even a dedicated team arrangement can start with a small team that grows as workload and confidence increase.

Choosing the right model helps outsourcing fit your practice's workload and working style, rather than forcing the practice to fit the model.

If your team needs extra production capacity for work like this, take a look at our Architectural production services, or tell us about your project.