The Architecture Gathering at Tattu

In the fast-paced world of technology, staying ahead of the curve and fostering innovation is paramount.

The latest edition of The Architecture Gathering brought together Architecture leaders from a range of organisations across Yorkshire and the North, and provided them with an invaluable platform to discuss the challenges they’re facing within their organisations, and to ask questions and gain perspectives from their industry peers.

The main focus of the August edition of The Architecture Gathering was ‘People’. In this blog post, we'll explore the key takeaways and highlights from this thought-provoking event.

Diverse Topics and Fresh Perspectives: 

One of the standout features of the event was the diverse range of topics that were covered under the banner of ‘People’.

From ‘where do Architects come from?’, through ‘how do we attract, secure, train, and retain the best Architects?’ and ‘how do we build an Architecture Community?’, and through to ‘where do Senior Architects go next in their career?’, attendees appreciated the opportunity to delve into various aspects of the ‘People’ side of Architecture.

The event succeeded in providing a comprehensive view of the end-to-end journey an Architect takes throughout their career, which allowed attendees to gain new insights and perspectives. As one attendee noted:

"New faces and new perspectives. It was interesting to understand how the different situations within different organisations have a bearing on thought processes.” 

The Importance of Board-Level Support: 

A recurring theme that emerged from The Architecture Gathering was the significance of how Architecture is perceived and supported at board level.

Many attendees recognised that the boards endorsement of Architecture is fundamental to its ability to provide value to an organisation.

Endorsement from board level provides the platform for Architecture Practices to grow and mature within organisations.

Understanding this crucial link between senior leadership support and Architectural success was agreed upon by all. As one attendee emphasised:

"How Architecture is seen and supported at the board level matters, as this gives the rationale to grow and mature a practice."

No One-Size-Fits-All Approach: 

The diversity of perspectives shared on the night highlighted a fundamental truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building and maturing Architecture Practices.

Each organisation faces unique challenges, and what works for one may not work for another.

Attendees recognised that the skillsets and experience we look for when hiring Architects, and the way that Architecture is structured and deployed, will differ organisation to organisation. As one attendee aptly summarised:

"There is no definitive answer, or right or wrong approach, to the question of Architects. Each company has their own ways of working, and approach to resourcing and developing talent, etc.

I do believe we agreed that depending on the role, it dictates what level of skill set is required, and whether it's a recruit or develop methodology.” 

Summary:

Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the importance of board-level support, the value of diverse perspectives, and the recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in Architecture. 

As the tech industry continues to evolve, events like The Architecture Gathering play a vital role in helping leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

A final word from Jacob Gulliver, Architecture Talent Partner at SPG Resourcing:

"People are complex, arguably far more complex than the technology we’re designing, building and working with.
There’s no ‘one-size-fits all’ approach to getting ‘People’ right within an organisation.
But what became abundantly clear is that we need to dedicate as much time and resource to getting our People strategy right as we do to our Business and Technology strategies.
Without the right people in place, everything else falls apart."