PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Follow the 4 “Ds” for inbox management. 

Now more than ever, AEC Project Managers are feeling the pressure to move faster and handle more…with overflowing inboxes. Email management can be a huge time-suck. Try this system to make it easier. Touch every email only once to triage as one of the 4 “Ds”…Do, Delegate, Dump, or Defer. Set up a folder for each bucket and drop them in accordingly. Want more tips on personal productivity for AEC Project Managers? Check out our all-new on-demand e-learning course – Personal Productivity Skills for AEC Project Managers.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Tying invoicing to milestones kills cash flow. 

Milestone billing delays cash when the milestone falls after a period close. Use regular monthly billing with 30-day payment terms instead. This avoids “stuck invoices” and keeps money moving. Get more tips for faster payments and improved cash flow in PSMJ’s Successful AEC Financial Management Workshop. 

TALENT OPTIMIZATION: Teach internal recruiters to understand the business and shadow projects. 

For the best outcomes, internal recruiters should learn the technical aspects of the work, shadow technical professionals, and participate in project meetings to build credibility. This allows them to spot true fit versus resume fit, build trust with hiring managers, and sell opportunities more effectively in the market. This is just one of many tips for recruiting results on PSMJ’s best-selling book – Build Your AEC Dream Team.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: Extract the best DNA from both firms after the transaction. 

A common mistake is assuming integration means “make them do everything our way.” Instead, pull the best processes and habits from each organization to create something superior. Some of the most successful acquirers have gotten great ideas for invoicing, employee engagement, leadership development, and more from a firm that they acquired. This is also a great post-acquisition morale booster for the acquired team. Get more insight and advice for structuring win-win acquisitions at PSMJ’s AEC Mergers & Acquisitions Summit coming up in February 2026.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: How would your desired future self handle today’s challenge? 

This is the question you need to instill in every future leader in the firm. When they have bad news for a Project Manager. When they need to confront subpar performance from a direct report. When they need to advocate for themselves on a new opportunity. Get your team to think about how the person they see themselves being in five or ten years would handle the current issue that they are facing.

This is content from the PSMJ Newsletter, exclusive to PSMJ PRO Members. PSMJ PRO is the fastest-growing network of AEC firm leaders. Not a PRO Member? Try a 50-day trial (no credit card required). You can request a trial here: https://bit.ly/50dayLI