Services
Business Plans for
AEC Firms
Simplify your AEC planning process. Hit your targets. Win.
Business Plans are a collaboration and communication tool
Sometimes business plans get confused with business development plans, regional targets, or strategic plans. Let’s break down the difference. That helps to simplify them and make sure people are on the same page about the purpose.
STRATEGIC PLAN
A strategic plan is typically a 3–5-year plan. Its where the firm takes on big initiatives that further the mission and vision of the company. They may focus on internal systems or innovation to make your firm more competitive, ownership transitions or succession, and firm growth plans. The initiatives that come out of your strategy may be multi-year and if they are about how you will win work, they will touch your business plan at some point.
BUSINESS PLANS
The business plan is a written plan detailing how you are going to feed the business for the next 12 months. If you are organized by sectors, it will be a sector business plan. If you are organized by region, it will be a regional business plan. It involves leadership, business development, marketing, operations, and finance. The business plan is a holistic plan for 12 months.
BUSINESS PLANS
WHAT THEY ARE: COMMUNICATION
Business Plans provide an opportunity to consolidate what all your stakeholders know about the region or sector into a comprehensive plan. For your team – leadership, operations, business development, and marketing, your service providers – to find commonality, develop initiatives, and set goals – holistically.
WHY YOUR FIRM NEEDS IT?
You need a roadmap for what work you will pursue and win, and in what volume. That allows the company to make other business decisions. How much are we going to invest in XYZ this year? Are we going to look at opening that office?
WHAT IS IN IT?
The Business Plan covers all aspects of the business defined how your firm defines it. It could be a region, a sector, or a profit center. Make a plan for how you are organized and measured.
Essential components:
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- Executive Summary
- Market Opportunity – Industry Analysis
- Target Project
- SWOT
- BD Plan
- Marketing Initiatives
- Targets and Goals
WHO IS INVOLVED?
Anyone involved in leadership, pursuing business, performance, and client satisfaction.
- Regional or Sector Leadership
- Business Development
- Marketing
- Project Managers
- Key Staff
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BEFORE YOU GET STARTED—YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS
How much time will this take?
Who from our firm should participate?
Is this right for firms that already have a planning process
What happens after the plan is complete?
We’ve answered these questions and more on our Business Planning FAQs page.
Research-Driven Growth Strategy
Sarah Kinard
Founder & Head Bird
With over 20 years of experience leading growth strategies and new market development, Sarah Kinard is the driving force behind The Flamingo Project, a research, strategy, and growth-focused firm. She specializes in research-first growth strategies, and market positioning to help AEC firms thrive.
Sarah is known for her ability to lead vision-driven strategies to uncover new revenue opportunities and develop market-entry strategies. Her expertise spans both horizontal and vertical markets working with firms ranging the AEC gamut—from small design studios, regional construction companies, to international engineering firms. With a passion for client-focused solutions, she ensures that strategy efforts align with business goals and generate measurable impact.
SMPS
Sarah is heavily involved in SMPS, serving as the Dallas president from 2021 to 2022. During her presidency, she worked with Fort Worth to re-envision how SMPS serves the market, and together Dallas and Fort Worth formed an SMPS North Texas chapter. She is presently serving as a trustee of the SMPS Foundation.
Interested in having Sarah speak at your event?
Planning a company retreat? Day Conference? or Education Program for your professional association?
Explore the Speaking page to learn more about her topics, or contact us to book Sarah for your next event.
Looking for a more hands-on, guided approach?
Join our 8-week Business Planning Accelerator, a group experience built for A/E/C leaders who want coaching, structure, and a clear path to a focused 2027 plan.
Explore the Business Planning Accelerator
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