Deltek’s Annual Clarity A&E Industry Study Tracks Firm Performance Benchmarks

Business Management / Industry Statistics

July 9, 2020

Deltek’s Annual Clarity A&E Industry Study Tracks Firm Performance Benchmarks

Deltek has released its 41st Annual Clarity Architecture and Engineering Industry Study, providing analysis and benchmarks for firms’ financial, business development, project, and human resources performance. ACEC co-sponsored the report.

The report uses 2019 firm data and Deltek wrapped up its research just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to upend the market. As a result, the data might not feel as relevant, but Deltek Senior Product Marketing Manager Megan Miller says the benchmarks are a valuable guide for firms.  

“With the market changing so rapidly, it’s even more important for firms to keep a close eye on their performance metrics,” she said. “If you’re looking at your numbers regularly and monitoring what’s happening in your business, then you can adjust and make better decisions as the market situation evolves.”

Here are the key findings from the report:

• Although many financial metrics were flat year-over-year, firms continued to report strong financial performance. Increasing profitability was a top concern for financial management, as well as the need to find and retain qualified staff.
• Net revenue growth projections were more conservative than a year ago and companies saw decreases in project pursuit success while the majority of firms are not following a business development process
• Firms continue to seek more clearly defined responsibilities for project management and more training for project managers. The shortage of qualified staff and lack of visibility into key project metrics may be making it harder for PMs to deliver projects successfully
• A&E firms continue to struggle to find good candidates. Only a minority of firms have succession plans or career development plans, which may contribute to firms’ retention challenges.

Click here to download the free report.

Click here to listen to an interview with Megan Miller on ACEC’s Engineering Influence podcast.

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