ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the roles Superusers play on teams, in firms, and in the industry. Superusers’ roles fall into predictable categories: either as generalists or specialists, or falling along a continuum. Design technology specialists often serve as internal consultants, where they are considered overhead, or integrated into project teams, and billable, or some combination. This chapter looks at each in an effort to determine which are more prevalent, and which more effective, resulting in more value for firms. The chapter opens by looking at Superusers’ roles as they compare with more traditional titles and roles within AE organizations, then compares and contrasts the differences between generalist vs. specialist design technologists, the generalist/specialist hybrid role, and how teams and firms benefit from this grey space. The chapter next looks at whether Superusers provide the most value when billable (where e.g. computational design should be billed on a project) vs. overhead; when integrated on teams vs. sitting in the corner; and, hands-on vs. primarily strategic, providing leadership in a management role. The chapter concludes by looking at the role of the Superuser in practice: a Superuser team case study.
