The Talent Challenge Facing Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Firms

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry faces unprecedented talent challenges. With project complexity increasing and the competition for skilled professionals intensifying, hiring the right people has never been more critical—or more difficult. A single bad hire can cost an AEC firm up to 30% of that employee's first-year earnings, not to mention the impact on project delivery and client relationships.

That's where the Harrison Assessment comes in, and why leading AEC firms are partnering with PSMJ Resources to implement this powerful talent evaluation tool.

What Is the Harrison Assessment?

The Harrison Assessment is a sophisticated behavioral and psychometric evaluation tool that measures 175 factors related to job success, work preferences, and behavioral tendencies. Unlike traditional personality tests, Harrison's technology uses paradox theory to provide nuanced insights into how individuals will perform in specific roles and organizational cultures.

For AEC professionals, this means moving beyond résumés and interviews to understand:

• Natural behavioral tendencies and work style preferences
• Leadership potential and management capabilities
• Cultural fit within your firm's unique environment
• Technical aptitude alignment with role requirements
• Team collaboration and communication styles

Why AEC Firms Need Specialized Talent Assessment

The AEC industry demands a distinctive combination of technical expertise, creative problem-solving skills, effective client management, and collaborative teamwork. Traditional hiring methods often miss critical factors that determine long-term success:

Project managers require both technical expertise and exceptional communication skills to effectively manage clients, consultants, and construction teams simultaneously.

Design professionals must balance creative vision with practical constraints, requiring both innovation and pragmatic decision-making.

Technical staff need detail-oriented precision while also contributing to collaborative design environments.

Firm leaders require strategic thinking, business development acumen, and the ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams.

The Harrison Assessment evaluates these multifaceted requirements with precision that traditional interviews simply cannot match.

How PSMJ Resources Integrates Harrison Assessment for AEC Firms

PSMJ Resources, the leading management consulting firm for the AEC industry, has integrated the Harrison Assessment into comprehensive talent management solutions specifically designed for architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

Strategic Applications Include:

1. Hiring and Recruitment Excellence

PSMJ helps AEC firms create role-specific Harrison Assessment profiles that identify ideal candidates for:

• Project managers and project engineers
• Principal-level leaders and practice area directors
• Business development professionals
• Technical specialists and designers
• Administrative and operational support roles

2. Leadership Development Programs

Identifying high-potential employees and developing them into future leaders of the firm is critical for effective succession planning. PSMJ uses Harrison Assessment data to:

• Evaluate leadership readiness
• Create personalized development plans
• Match emerging leaders with appropriate mentorship opportunities
• Build stronger leadership pipelines

3. Team Optimization

The most successful AEC projects depend on well-balanced teams. PSMJ leverages Harrison Assessment insights to:

• Build complementary project teams
• Reduce interpersonal conflicts
• Improve collaboration across disciplines
• Enhance communication between technical and client-facing staff

4. Retention and Engagement Strategies

Understanding what drives engagement for each employee helps reduce costly turnover. PSMJ uses Harrison data to:

• Identify flight risks before they resign
• Create targeted retention strategies
• Align roles with individual work preferences
• Improve job satisfaction across the organization

5. Succession Planning

As AEC firm principals approach retirement, effective succession planning becomes existential. Harrison Assessment helps:

• Identify internal candidates with leadership potential
• Evaluate cultural fit for leadership transitions
• Prepare next-generation leaders for ownership
• Ensure smooth transitions that preserve client relationships

Real Results: Harrison Assessment Impact on AEC Firms

Firms working with PSMJ Resources to implement the Harrison Assessment have reported:

• 50-70% reduction in turnover among new hires
• Improved project profitability through better project manager selection
• Enhanced client satisfaction scores due to better client relationship management
• Faster advancement for high-potential employees with targeted development
• Reduced time-to-productivity for new team members

The PSMJ Advantage: Industry Expertise Meets Assessment Science

What sets PSMJ apart is the combination of Harrison Assessment's proven methodology with PSMJ's deep understanding of the AEC industry. PSMJ consultants don't just administer assessments—they interpret results through the lens of:

• AEC-specific role requirements
• Industry compensation and career path norms
• Technical competency frameworks
• Project delivery methodologies
• Client relationship dynamics

This industry specialization ensures that assessment insights translate into actionable hiring and development strategies that actually work in real-world AEC environments.

Getting Started: Implementing Harrison Assessment with PSMJ

PSMJ Resources offers several engagement models for AEC firms ready to leverage the Harrison Assessment:

Individual Assessments: Perfect for critical hires or leadership evaluations

Team Assessments: Ideal for optimizing project teams or departmental performance

Organizational Implementation: Comprehensive talent management transformation, including hiring, development, and succession planning

Leadership Development Programs: Multi-year initiatives to build your firm's leadership bench strength

The Bottom Line: Talent is Your Competitive Advantage

In an industry where intellectual capital drives value and client relationships determine success, getting talent decisions right isn't optional—it's a strategic imperative.

The Harrison Assessment, implemented through PSMJ Resources' industry-specialized approach, gives AEC firms a competitive edge in:

• Attracting and selecting the right talent
• Developing high-potential professionals
• Retaining top performers
• Building effective teams
• Planning for sustainable leadership succession

For AEC firms serious about their talent strategy, the Harrison Assessment, in partnership with PSMJ Resources, represents a proven path to measurable hiring and development success.

Ready to Transform Your Talent Strategy?

Contact PSMJ Resources today to learn how the Harrison Assessment can help your AEC firm build a stronger team, develop future leaders, and create a sustainable competitive advantage through superior talent management.

About PSMJ Resources: For over 45 years, PSMJ Resources has been the premier management consulting and training firm dedicated exclusively to the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. With expertise spanning strategic planning, financial management, project delivery, and talent development, PSMJ helps AEC firms achieve sustainable growth and profitability.