Top 5 signs your company needs a Growth-Ready Tech Plan

ADDDitive: Transforming Practice: Tools, Strategies, and Insights for the Digital Architect.

Welcome to the 7th edition of ADDDitive!

👋 Hi there,

A few years ago, my daughter left a Post-It on my desk:

“Get help.”

It’s stuck with me because it’s true. Growth happens when you bring in the right support at the right time.

I see it all the time: a small practice grows, the “tech-savvy” designer takes on IT, and it works … until it doesn’t. Outdated tools, messy workflows, and siloed data start holding the firm back instead of pushing it forward.

This month’s newsletter is all about spotting the signs your practice needs a Growth-Ready Tech Plan and how to future-proof your workflows.

You’ll also find:

Highlights from our Giraffe + Fenestra webinar

A discount on my Generative Design Report

New ConTech career opportunities & GTM support

Let’s get into it and if this resonates, let’s talk.

Allister

1. Top 5 signs your company needs a Growth-Ready Tech Plan to future-proof your practice:

A few years ago my daughter left this Post-It note on my desk.

I have kept it ever since. Why?

Because it can be interpreted in different ways:

  • At one level it’s a personal critique, suggesting I get support with myself (I have).

  • It is also a commentary that no one can do everything, and seeking help is ok when you don’t know the answer.

  • Lastly, I think it can be about collaboration and having specialists around you to support your growth.

Architects, brilliant as they are, are a case in point.

There are areas that we need help in, and being open and mindful of this can help to grow,

  • Transform, and develop as a practice.

  • As an architect, I see the same pattern play out again and again.

  • A small practice would start to grow.

One of the team, often the most “tech-savvy” designer, would get handed the IT responsibilities.

They’d fix the server, workout why the internet isn't working, and manage the software stack and costs of this.

And it works … for a while.

But when the practice landed bigger projects, the team doubles.

More deadlines, more pressure.

Suddenly, the ageing infrastructure, patchwork of workflows, and ad hoc software choices start to show cracks.

Collaboration became impossible.

Data gets siloed. Deadlines get tighter and harder to meet.

That’s when I realised: without a Growth-Ready Tech Plan, growth starts to hurt.

Top 5 signs your company needs a Growth-Ready Tech Plan to future-proof your practice:

✅ Hardware – Are your machines and devices keeping up with the demands of modern tools?

✅ Infrastructure – Is your network, storage, and cloud setup fit for distributed, secure collaboration?

✅ Software – Are you using the right mix of applications or drowning in overlapping subscriptions?

✅ Workflows – Do your tools actually support the way you work, or do they force bad habits?

✅ AI – Are you starting to integrate AI where it makes sense or missing easy wins?

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Many firms wait until it’s painful to tackle these issues but you don’t have to.

Understanding your workflows is important for your future growth

If this resonates then I would love to connect and find out more:

2. Workflow Webinar: From Concept to Vision: Generative Design Meets Generative AI Rendering

Future-Ready Workflows: Giraffe + Fenestra in Action

Giraffe and Fenestra workflow YouTube video

Last week I hosted an ADDD Workflow Webinar exploring how two cutting-edge tools; Giraffe and Fenestra, work seamlessly together to transform early-stage architectural design and presentation.

What we covered:

Giraffe: Rob Asher demonstrated how Giraffe combines mapping, simple modelling and instant calculations to create geolocated, context-aware designs in minutes. It’s perfect for fast feasibility studies, systematised workflows and client-facing design conversations, essentially replacing SketchUp + Excel for urban-scale thinking.

Fenestra: Sean Mccallum then showed how Fenestra turns simple 3D models or sketches into AI-generated, high-quality renderings and videos fast, affordable, and accessible for anyone on your team, not just “the visualisation expert.”

We also discussed why architects are slow to adopt these tools, how developers and governments are leading the way, and how students and younger professionals are already driving change with flexible, SaaS-first mindsets.

My takeaway?

These tools aren’t about replacing design skills, they free you to design better, faster, and communicate your ideas more clearly. And with price points as low as $8–$45/month, they’re no longer out of reach for small and medium practices.

I’ve also created a cheat sheet comparing 40+ Generative Design tools for architects—grab it here: https://generativedesign.carrd.co/ 

Thanks again to Rob and Sean for sharing their vision. If you missed the session, see the link below.

Generative Design Report

A PhD candidate reviewed my Generative Design report and I'm so excited with what they found! I received a 23-page academic review of my Generative Design Report and Early Stage Design Tools from PhD researcher Thao Pham. Her verdict:

“A detailed assessment of 20+ GD tools using the FASS* framework.”

“Goes beyond usability-considers adoption, ROI, AI integration & workflows.”

“Offers architects real-world insights while laying groundwork for academic research.”

What blew me away: this review is now supporting her PhD. And I am so happy this is helpful to Thao. This is exactly why I wrote the report—to help you cut through the noise. And seeing it now influence both industry and academia is immensely cool.

Our comprehensive report is available at www.addd.io/gd with a special 30% discount for newsletter subscribers.

3. New Career in ConTech roles shared last week 

Here are 20 top software companies looking for skilled and experienced AEC professionals:

  • Felt - The best way to make maps on the internet.

  • Chaos - Chaos provides world-class visualization solutions helping you share ideas, optimize workflows and create experiences. 

  • Bluebeam - For those who design, engineer, bid and build our world, Bluebeam is how professionals get more done.

  • Datagrid - Datagrid is the AI Agent that gets work done for you.

  • ComfyUI - Building ComfyUI

  • Trayd - The all-in-one construction back office operating system, specializing in payroll, HR, and compliance.

  • Attentive.AI - The Ultimate AI-powered Takeoff Software For Field Service & Construction Businesses

  • Cove.Tool - Empowering Architectural Firms to Lead in Sustainable Design with AI-Powered Consulting and Advanced Analytics.

  • Datawrapper - Data Visualization Software by Datawrapper

  • Provision - Provision helps construction professionals find and mitigate risk in their project documents.

  • Transcend - The future of critical infrastructure design is here.

  • Nearmap - High-res imagery, 3D modeling, AI predictions, camera technology, and geospatial tools you can use to impact change.

  • Soil link - Powering Regenerative Construction

  • Laiout - Faster and better informed decision making with the world’s fastest AI floor planning software.

  • Cityweft - from world to workspace

  • Civ Robotics - Marking the Future, One Coordinate at a Time

  • Finch - The future of building planning.

  • Foster and Partners - Architectural Design and Engineering

  • AUAR - Building a global, automated construction ecosystem for sustainable, affordable and beautiful housing

Join them to:

  • Help these tools find their market.

  • Help them grow.

  • Help build the future — instead of waiting for it.

👉 Explore open roles www.AECTechjobs.com 

What role would you like to know more about? Product Managers are top of my list.

4. Our 2 Week Go To Market Sprint

Get Your ConTech Start up From Unknown to Traction in Just 2 Weeks

If you’re a ConTech start up entering the AEC market and need traction fast, our Go-To-Market Sprint is designed for you.

Over 2 weeks, we’ll sharpen your GTM strategy, craft messaging that resonates, and position you in front of the right audience, with placement on the ADDD Marketplace and a repeatable outreach plan.

What’s included:

  • Ideal Customer Profile & pain point analysis

  • Competitor & market research

  • Messaging pillars & funnel suggestions

  • LinkedIn audit + post & channel strategy

  • Landing page outline & ADDD Marketplace store setup

  • Featured company status & inclusion in our monthly showcase

By the end, you’ll have:

  • A clear, validated GTM narrative

  • Marketplace placement & exposure

  • A replicable traction plan to build your audience

Turnaround: 10 business days, including 2x calls and full documentation.

If you’re ready to translate your vision into results, email [email protected].

5. How to Move into ConTech

Want to Move into ConTech? Check out AEC Tech Jobs - all the best new roles from Computational Designer, Product Manager, Software Developer, Marketing and Sales are all here. Join one of the fastest growing industry out there for ConTech roles.

Are you a ConTech company- reach out and we would be happy to add your latest roles.

Please forward this to a colleague that you think will benefit from the content.

Get in touch with any questions you may have: [email protected]

Thanks for reading!

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