ABSTRACT

Design technology is changing both architectural practice and the role of the architect and related design professionals. With new technologies and work processes appearing every week, how can practitioners be expected to stay on top and thrive? In a word, Superusers.

Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice will help you identify who they are, the value they provide, and how you can attract and retain them, and become one; what career opportunities they have, what obstacles they face, and how to lead them. Written by Randy Deutsch, a well-known expert in the field, this is the first-ever guide to help current and future design professionals to succeed in the accelerating new world of work and technology. 

Providing proven, practical advice, the book features:

  • Unique, actionable insights from design technology leaders in practice worldwide
  • The impacts of emerging technology trends such as generative design, automation, AI, and machine learning on practice
  • Profiles of those who provide 20% of the effort but achieve 80% of the results, and how they do it
  • What will help firms get from where they are today to where they need to be, to survive and thrive in the new world of design and construction.

Revealing the dramatic impact of technology on current and future practice, Superusers shows what it means to be an architect in the 21st century. Essential reading for students and professionals, the book helps you plan for and navigate a fast-moving, uncertain future with confidence.

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

How a specialist came to be this generation’s generalist architect

part one|2 pages

Why Superusers?

chapter Chapter 1|19 pages

Superusers’ C-factors

chapter Chapter 2|21 pages

Superuser superpowers

chapter Chapter 3|18 pages

Roles Superusers play

part two|2 pages

Finding and making Superusers

chapter Chapter 4|17 pages

Superusers’ value proposition

chapter Chapter 5|19 pages

Hiring (and poaching) Superusers

chapter Chapter 6|20 pages

Engaging (and retaining) Superusers

part three|2 pages

Managing and leading Superusers

chapter Chapter 7|18 pages

The career path not taken

133The Superuser risk journey

chapter Chapter 8|21 pages

Design technologists as digitally savvy designers

chapter Chapter 9|15 pages

Leading Superusers