Why Are Architects Rarely Construction Project Managers?

Why architects are sidelined as CPMs—and how 1,000 can lead with training, certification, and recognition by end of 2025.

Why Are Architects Rarely Construction Project Managers?

In the world of construction, one trend has remained surprisingly consistent: project managers are almost always assumed to be engineers. This happens despite the fact that under RA 9266, the Architecture Act of 2004, architects are legally empowered to offer comprehensive professional services—from pre-design to post-construction. This includes planning, supervision, coordination, construction management, and project evaluation.

So why are architects rarely the ones leading construction projects?

The Gap Between Training and Opportunity

One key reason is training. Most architects are developed primarily in design. Even today, over 80% of CPD seminars for architects focus on aesthetics, detailing, and design-related principles. Meanwhile, engineers are gaining stronger exposure to contracts, costing, scheduling, risk, procurement, and site coordination—the very functions that drive project success.

The result? Engineers accumulate not only technical know-how but also credibility as leaders of the entire project life cycle. They are perceived as more “qualified” to lead, regardless of what the law empowers architects to do.

The Law Supports the Architect’s Full Role

Under Philippine law, architects are not limited to design.

Section 3(3) of RA 9266 defines the General Practice of Architecture as:

“...the act of planning and architectural designing, structural conceptualization, specifying, supervising and giving general administration and responsible direction to the erection, enlargement or alterations of buildings... and the scientific, aesthetic and orderly coordination of all the processes which enter into the production of a complete building or structure... regardless of whether such duties are performed in person or as the directing head of an office…”

Section 4 expands the Scope of the Practice to explicitly include:

“...construction and project management, giving general management, administration, supervision, coordination and responsible direction of the planning, architectural designing, construction, reconstruction... of buildings or structures or complex buildings...”

The law is clear: architects are authorized to lead projects—not just design them.

Reclaiming the Architect’s Role in Project Delivery

This disconnect between legal scope and actual practice is exactly what The Totality of Project Management was designed to solve.

This online/hybrid training program equips architects with real-world skills needed to:

Manage scope, cost, time, quality, risk, and procurement
Navigate contracts, coordination, and stakeholder alignment
Lead across all phases of the construction project lifecycle

This is not about changing professions.
It’s about stepping fully into the role the law already allows you to perform—and doing so with competence, confidence, and credibility.

Recognition That Goes Beyond the Organization

This isn’t just about a new title within your professional network.
It’s about achieving formal, performance-tested credentials that are recognized across the entire construction industry.

By completing the program, you become eligible for:

✅ ISO/IEC 17024:2012-aligned international certification in Project Management
(via i2P2M – International Institute of Projects and Program Management)
✅ National recognition as a CMDF Certified Project Manager,
endorsed by the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP–DTI)

These are not organizational awards—they are standards-based, career-defining credentials that give you credibility among clients, contractors, consultants, and collaborators.

Lead by Example

If you are a chapter officer, district director, or area vice president—this is your moment to lead from the front.

Be among the first to be recognized both globally and nationally for your competence in project delivery.

Your participation can help reset expectations across the industry and show that architects are fully capable project leaders—because the law, and the project reality, say so.

A Call to Architects: Win Not Just as Individuals, But as a Profession

We cannot win alone. We need to win as a profession.

That’s why we are calling on 1,000 Filipino architects to be trained, certified, and nationally recognized by the end of 2025.

It’s time we reclaim our rightful space in project leadership—not just in theory, but in practice.

An orientation session will be announced soon.
🟢 No commitment or payment is required at this stage.
🟢 Just sign up to stay informed and take the first step.

If you're ready to move beyond design and take the lead in project delivery, we’re ready to help you begin.

We also offer scholarship grants to architects who demonstrate the potential to lead and influence the industry—because empowering real leadership is part of our mission.