Top Priorities for Practice Leaders 2025

Join Smartsoftware's Ian Harry and Michelle Mason, and the ACA's Matthew Tence for an insightful webinar on Tuesday 9 September, as they delve into this year's industry trends revealed in the 2025 Deltek Clarity Reports. Engage in an interactive discussion spanning across emerging technology trends of AI and cyber security issues, and complexities of practice and project management.

To thrive in the competitive architecture industry, practices need to remain agile and proactive, continuously transforming and leveraging emerging opportunities to stay ahead of industry trends. Join this discussion to hear what hurdles practices are currently facing and what opportunities lie ahead. Dive into a selection of themes that emerged in the 2025 Deltek Clarity Reports in international markets, and hear from our team on reflections for the Australian industry.

Some topics to be discussed include:

• Cyber Risks
• AI & Implementation 
• Benefits of AI
• Increased Complexity of Projects
• Administrative Workload
• Project Delays / Budget Overruns

SPEAKERS

Ian Harry is the General Manager of Smartsoftware, and has over 30 years’ experience in the ERP software industry. As a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), he was the CFO for several technology companies before joining Deltek’s Premier Partner, Smartsoftware where he worked in Business Development and Client Management before taking on the General Management role. Ian has project managed quite a number of ERP implementations over his career, and enjoys working closely with many of Smartsoftware’s clients to ensure that they fully leverage their investment in technology.

Michelle Mason is a Senior Consultant at Smartsoftware. Michelle is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) who has 25 years experience working in Finance across manufacturing, legal, architecture and design industries. Michelle has spent the last 20 years working with ERP Software products, including implementation, development and managing these products.

Matthew Tence is Practice Manager at Jackson Clements Burrows and has extensive experience in business and operations management, leading architecture and design practices in Australia. His skills and experience include accounts / finance, resourcing, human resources, fees, contracts, IT, marketing and facilities. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Design – Landscape Architecture, and he is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Matthew is Treasurer and Committee Member for the Victoria/Tasmania Branch of the Association of Consulting Architects. 

WHEN

Members $30
Non-members $60

*One ticket per attendee. 

CPD

1 hour – 1 formal CPD point

Learning outcomes – Participation in this webinar will give an understanding of a current snapshot of architecture business sentiment on key issues, as context for attendees' own practice planning. Includes insights into the general outlook on cyber risks, AI implementation, benefits of AI, increased complexity of projects, managing administrative workload, and project delays and budget overruns.

Units of Competency and Performance Criteria – Practice Management and Professional Conduct - PC2, PC4.

The webinar will include time for Q&A with the speakers and CPD assessment task. Certificates will be provided following participation in the full webinar and online submission of answers to CPD questions.

CONTACT