5 comments about An Introduction To Enterprise Architecture: Second Edition.

1. Solid introduction to the field.
   
   As is appropriate for a first book it outlines the theory. When I finish it however, I'm going to be looking for something that can lead me through the next step; identifying the challenges and techniques to confront them. That's not this book.



2. Interessant book and base of the course for the certification of Enterprise Architect (Carnegie Mellon)



3. "Introduction to Enterprise Architecture" is a very good text for a student or experienced professional to start to understand this very complex topic. The more useful aspect of the book is how it shows you the required elements of any Enterprise Architecture, and how they fit together. That is the most important thing for any Enterprise Architect to learn. That is presented well in the book.
   
   In addition, there is a good summary of many of the most referenced EA Frameworks.
   
   The examples are good, especially, the appendices that walk you through the specific deliverable documents for several of the well known EA Frameworks. That alone, is well worth the price of the book.



4. I took Dr. Bernard's grad level EA class (Syracuse Univ. in Washington, DC) in 2004 and this was one of the courses texts. Nothing better than having the author and the professor to study at the same time. Dr. Bernard's approaches are building on the standards of the EA industry. Dr. Bernard's 3 cubed model takes EA into a new direction. He truly wants to build upon the forefathers of this field. Dr. Bernard's passion of this subject shines through in his dedication to EA in federal government. I enjoyed this book (Edition 1) and look forward to future updated versions of this book and comparsions of other EA models.



5. Professor Bernard provides an excellent textbook for the federal sector in An Introduction to Enterprise Architecture. Scott strove to meet this market niche need and met that goal. As a collaborative editor to Scott on the final text, I know he was very exacting with his desires to have this text presented in the manner he choose-after receiving many suggestions for alternative presentation considerations-Scott stuck to his original agenda. Working with Professor Bernard was enjoyable-he is a conscientious man and considerate soul to work with. I fully endorse his book.

1 comments about The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 14th Ed..

1. We just received this the other day. At first glance it appears to be *slightly* more condensed than the previous full edition of the "Handbook", which, in my opinion is a good thing. Still very dense and an absolute must-have if you want or need to know anything about "mainstream" architectural practice at a fairly high level.
   
   There is so much good information contained in this tome, I'm surprised the AIA hasn't created a certification program based on it, much like CSI has done with the PRM. It would seem to me such a program would have the potential to help fill a gaping hole in architectural education.
   
   Of particular note regarding this edition: two CD-ROMs are included. The first includes sample 2007 AIA documents -- no surprises here. The second includes the entire text of the Handbook, BUT, in a locked-down proprietary format. You install an application and must activate it online or over the phone before you can use it. You can only install it on one machine at a time. There is no de-activation function; you must uninstall and then call customer support to get a new activation number if you need to change the machine on which it's installed. The electronic version allows searching, but does NOT allow printing or exporting. While the sample AIA documents are PDFs and thus cross-platform, the Handbook reader application is Windows only -- an unfortunate choice. While I understand the publisher's desire to protect their IP, a PDF file would have been so much more user-friendly.
   
   I'll try to remember to post more when I've had a chance to wade through the new edition in its entirety. In the mean time, I thought I'd share what I knew.

2 comments about Construction Project Management: A Practical Guide to Field Construction Management.

1. I recommend this book for its full coverage on all the aspects of construction management, approaching the real field problems, solutions, tips and the very well explained example that is built chapter by chapter.
   
   Theory and practice merge in a very palatable way. Any one who read it carefully, may become a consultant on Construction Management.



2. this book is instructive!

1 comments about Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings.

1. It tells you step by step what to do and who to talk to and the different engineers you'll need along with percentages on prices. Hands down a great guide to getting real project built.

5 comments about BIG BIM little bim - The practical approach to Building Information Modeling - Integrated practice done the right way!.

1. I found this book informitive and useful in understanding this technology and how to integrate it into your practice. Whether you have a large architectural firm or a small one, this book will provide a practical guide for using Building Information Modeling in your workflow and how to approach your projects as a totally integrated practice.



2. BIG BIM little bim - The practical approach to Building Information Modeling - Integrated practice done the right way!
   
   This book hits a home run for all practitioners of BIM. It is relevant to both the neophyte just making the BIM decision as well as the mature BIM organization looking for what is next. The buildingSMART Alliance in North America is working the BIG BIM issue and I believe that it is a very rich environment for significant transformation in the way we do business. There is significant return on investment at every step of the way for all stakeholders. Finith has done our industry a great service in pointing out this very concept. We all will be implementing BIM for many years to come and this is a great starting point. The book is replete with excellent first hand experience based guidance and real life case studies, the kind you are more likely to come across in your own practice. I heartily recommend this book be part of your mandatory reading as well as a reference on your bookshelf to re-visit as you prepare to bite off more and more BIM opportunities to ensure you are keeping to the principles. It is also good to see some very good BIM books coming out and so far, we seem to all be supporting the same principles which will help reduce the confusion factor generated by the vendors supporting only their current capabilities.



3. Can't say what I expected when I bought this book. It's all over the map and I'm expecting PBS to pick this guy up as an architectural self-help guru.
   
   I have never seen so many numbers thrown around as the "4Site" system that is best used with the 80/20 principle that then moves on to the Power of Sixteen Concept that can then be better handled with the 400% Rule (page 136). I am seriously paraphrasing here, but it can be daunting trying to keep with the threads.
   
   Having cleared my system of that I will say that there are a number of things that can be taken away from this book (failing fast is my favorite). It is on the extreme end of the "architecture-is-a-business" end of things, but as is so often pointed out in this book, it is what is so often left out of an architects' equation. And an omission that, if not tended to, will push architects further to the fringe of the construction industry.
   
   Mr. Jernigan, I have no doubt, knows what he is talking about--it's just such a difficult read.



4. Professionals in the Design Field will love this book! The organization/heirarchy of discussion points add to the features in this book. In addition, there are many diagrams and much theory to support all that he has written for design and along with the "Toyota Theory" he has created a well-rounded book for us all to follow and to keep as a reference in our libraries.



5. To most people, BIM just means "Building Information Modeling." For Finith E. Jernigan, AIA, BIM is "Beyond Information Modeling."
   
   "bim (lower case) is used to represent applications-focused topics; i.e. ArchiCad, Bentley, and Revit are bim tools." Finith E. Jernigan, AIA wrote, "BIM (upper case) is the management of information and the complex relationships between the social and technical resources that represent the complexity, collaboration, and interrelations of today's organizations and environment. The focus is on managing projects to get the right information to the right place at the right time."
   
   "BIG BIM little bim" is one of the best books on the subject of integrated practice. It covers framework for success (four phases to integration: initiate, design, construct and manage phases, seven steps guide your way), the process day to day (certainty is your mantra, validation, design and construction prototypes, procurement, construction, operation & maintenance, firm, people, time, benefits and cautions), and proof that integration works including a number of case studies like Fire Headquarters and Station 16, Capital Improvement Program, Children's Theater of Delmarva, and Armory Community Center.
   
   Finith E. Jernigan, AIA discussed many useful and creative ideas and tools, like design and implementation can work in parallel, forewarned is forearmed, Facility Development and Operation (FDO), Facility Specialty Alliance (FSA), Onuma Planning System (OPS), Web Feature Service (WFS), Theory of Constraint (TOC), Toyota Production System (TPS), 4SiteSystems, etc. There are also some useful appendixes at the end of the book, including "Recommended links" and "Toolkit."
   
   "BIG BIM little bim" has 295 pages and many diagrams and screen-shots. It is a must-have for students, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, owners, facility managers, and contractors.
   
   Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated," LEED AP, AIA

1 comments about Project Management for Design Professionals.

1. Who would have thought that learning about project management could be so entertaining? Ramroth has included numerous examples, illustrations and commentary to propel readers through what would normally be a rather bland subject. I laughed out loud while reading and surprised not only myself, but also my napping children!

2 comments about How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm, Second Edition: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects.

1. Any interior designer or architect who has dreamed of operating a design firm needs the second updated edition of this classic which covers all the basics of establishing such a business, from developing a plan and financing an office to setting fees, locating clients and marketing design services. Both general and design firm-specific tips are blended together making this an invaluable guide for any collection catering to businesspeople or designers alike.



2. Very good book if your looking to get started on your own. Everything you need to know. Nothing is left out!!!

3 comments about ARCHITECTURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING.

1. We all know that information revolution has totally transformed the society. Architecture is no exception. Relative to industrial revolution's impact on architecture, "what has this recent revolution done to the field?" is the basic inquiry to the book. This book diligently answers to the question. It is extremely informative and provocative regarding digital technologies available for architecture.
   
   As an outcome of a symposium held at U.Penn. in 2002, the book compiles various scholars and practitioners around the world. They grapple with the current technologies available to design and manufacture innovative shapes/forms/spaces that associate with digital aesthetics.
   
   Spearheaded researchers such as Bill Mitchell(MIT), Chris Luebkeman(Arup), Ali Rahim (U.Penn), and Branko Kolarevic (U.Penn, chief editor of the book); and, cutting-edge practitioners such as Jim Glymph (Gehry), Hugh Whitehead (Foster & Partners), Bernhard Franken (Franken Architekten), etc.; both groups provide theoretical framework and actual applications.
   
   It's interesting to point out that the authors deliberately associated digital architecture with smooth forms. Double curvatures deform structure/ skin/ space of the building. The new modes of design and production enables that complex geometries to be part of building industry.
   
   As a reader, the most challenging claim of the book is that the authors
   assert (some explicitly and some implicitly) on the new role of an architect. They believe that this new mode of production will revolutionize the client-architect-contractor relationship. Because architects will be the (single) dominant source of information on the three dimensionally morphed shape, manufacturers and fabricators would rely heavy on architects. The authors predict architect would regain absolute power of medieval master builders.



2. I'm getting my masters in Architecture and this book is a must-have, must-read for anyone designing in the digital age. It's informational and inspiring not only for architects, but anyone interested in using computer technology as a method for design carried through to manufactuing.



3. This book provides a great overview of the developing technolgies in digital design and fabrication. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a comprehensive study in the current trends in digital architecture. A series of 20+ articles by designers working in this area of architecture, this book updates the conversation to what is happening today and what is being projected in the future. Great resource!

5 comments about How Firms Succeed: A Field Guide to Design Management.

1. Although I am not an Architect but I enjoyed reading this book. It tells you exactly what you want to know about running a design firm. I also liked the simple, clear language that was used. If you are planning to start up your own business then I really recommend you to read this book.



2. I was very pleased to find this book. It is a clear, concise resource for people who need to better understand design firms. It provides an insight into the nature of the design business - and it unique culture - that is invaluable to both practitioners and managers who want to create a successful and healthy organization.



3. How Firms Succeed should be on every Design Firm's must read list. It is the closest thing to a how-to manual in running a design firm. Anyone who follows the principles of the text will reap the rewards as their business grows.



4. How Firms Succeed transforms the poetry of architecture into the prose of practical management advice. This book offers solutions to the questions and problems that distract firms from their quest to provide excellent design. It should rapidly become an indispensable part of every architect's working library.



5. Too many design professionals think that design excellence and financial acumen are mutually exclusive. Thanks to the authors of How Firms Succeed for putting this myth to rest. This book addresses the issues that, if practiced, will allow for both. One can only imagine the impact of a firm that provides best-of-class design and its impact on our communities.

5 comments about The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business.

1. This book has a lot of examples and is a keeper. This was a required text in one of my college courses and was a fun easy read. It is structured by common mistakes others have made so it allows you to learn quickly by example.



2. This book is very dry and hard to read. There is some great information enclosed yet it is really hard to access. I also didn't appreciate that at every moment possible the author seems to downgrade the ability of the self employed, multiple times it is suggested that under no circumstances should you chose to be a sole proprietor, which for me seems to disregard those that are starting out on a smaller part time basis.



3. This book was a perfect tool to benchmark my design studio. After 14 years of business I found that Foote's advice, assumptions and calculations were right on the mark ... even for a business in New Zealand. Highly recommended.



4. This is not for me. It is pretty good for interesting reading, but not made for freelancers like me.



5. 
   This book is divided into four sections: organization, personnel, marketing, and operations. It also has four appendices. I really liked this book very much. I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor who regularly counsels SCORE clients on starting their own small businesses. I highly recommend the instant book to people similarly situated to my clients since it will help them better grasp and understand what is involved in starting a business.
   
   If you want to put together a business plan (and you should if you want to start a business), then use this book to help you by looking at the following chapters:
   
   1. A Solid Foundation
   2. Structure and Facilities
   4. Organizing
   9. Positioning
   10. Promoting
   12. Pricing Your Services
   15. Financial Issues
   
   After you prepare your business plan and have your business up and running, then you'll be able to:
   
   14. Grow the Business
   16. Personal Issues (Cash Out).
   
   I particularly liked the Case Study #6 in Appendix 2 (Failing to Institutionalize the Company). And Appendix 3 (A Designer's Short Course on Marketing) was very well done. Chapter 10 on "Promoting" was very well done given the amount of pages devoted to it.
   
   I was a bit disappointed with the Sample Business Plan Form included in Appendix 4. But the book is not exactly set up to cater to people trying to write a business plan. So I can't be too critical here.
   
   This book is packed full of content regarding the business of graphic design (and small business, in general). It will be well worth your time in reading it if you have any interest in small business. 5 stars!