This document discusses how the engineering firm Partridge uses the project management software Synergy. It provides examples of how Synergy allows the firm to analyze staff performance, market sectors, project profitability, and manage managers. Key Synergy features mentioned include a client database, project database, timesheets, invoicing, financial analysis, and marketing tools. The document emphasizes that firms need to ensure Synergy is configured and updated correctly to accurately reflect the business and provide useful insights.

1. USING SYNERGY WHEN
YOU RUN THE
PRACTICE
ANDREW DERBIDGE
DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL
PARTRIDGE

3. 21 ENGINEERS
8 DRAFTEES
6 ADMIN/CLERICAL
TEAM PARTRIDGE

4. PARTRIDGE

5. SECTORS OF WORK
 High-end residential houses (new builds + alterations and additions)
 Multi-residential (unit + mixed-use developments up to five storeys)
 Commercial (retail fitouts, shopping centres, café/restaurants)
 Institutional (schools, childcare, universities, church, health)
 Local government (parks, playgrounds, community centres)
 Energy (solar installations)
 Reports and investigations

6. CLIENTELE PARTRIDGE CLIENTELE
Mums and dadsChiefly architects

7. PARTRIDGE AND SYNERGY

9. 9 Users
4 Administrators
4 Directors
3 System Administrators
1 Assistant Project Manager
14 Project Managers

10. HOW SYNERGY CAN MAKE LIFE AS A
MANAGER/DIRECTOR – BOSS – JUST
THAT LITTLE BIT LESS STRESSFUL…

11. PARTRIDGE AND SYNERGY
 Client database
 Project database
 Timesheets and invoicing
 Project performance and analysis
 Staff performance and analysis
 Practice financial analysis
 Market analysis (profitability & business growth by sector)
 Marketing

12. TAILOR IT TO YOUR BUSINESS
MAKE SYNERGY WORK FOR YOU…

13. MAKE SYNERGY WORK FOR YOU
Get your overhead factor
correct!
Check your actual financials
and update/amend the
overhead factor regularly

14. MAKE SYNERGY WORK FOR YOU
Set your utilisation
specifically for each
member of staff
Check and update with
each major “system”
change
Check to make sure your
charge-outs are updated
and adjusted to suit!

15. Your accounting department and your Synergy admin team need to be hand-in-hand!
(Financial controls, salary updates, charge-outs, etc)

16. As a director/manager, you can’t
interpret or use Synergy to advantage if
the input data or financial controls
aren’t accurate or kept up to date!

17. SET MANDATORY ATTRIBUTES YOU CAN
ANALYSE AND GAIN BENEFIT FROM…

18. Synergy is your HR buddy!
STAFF PERFORMANCE AND
ANALYSIS

19. STAFF PERFORMANCE AND ANALYSIS
John was underperforming…

20. STAFF PERFORMANCE AND ANALYSIS

21. STAFF PERFORMANCE AND ANALYSIS

22. STAFF PERFORMANCE AND ANALYSIS

23. STAFF PERFORMANCE AND ANALYSIS

24. Synergy attributes can steer your business
MARKET ANALYSIS

25. WE CREATED A
MANDATORY ATTRIBUTE
CALLED
“CLASSIFICATION”

28. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS

29. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS

30. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS

31. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS
REVENUE BY SECTOR

32. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS
PROFITABLITY BY SECTOR

33. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS

34. LEARN FROM WHAT
SYNERGY TELLS YOU!
CHANGE YOUR PRACTICE
IN RESPONSE

35. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS
 Decline work in non-profitable areas
 Decline work from certain clients
OR
 Increase your fees
 Be more selective
 Protect yourself better in your fee proposals

36. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS
PROFITABLITY BY SECTOR

37. USING SYNERGY FOR MARKET ANALYSIS

38. Identifying your star performers
MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

40. MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

41. MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

42. MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

43. MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

44. MANAGING YOUR MANAGERS

45. PARTRIDGE & SYNERGY

46. “When engineers discuss aesthetics and
architects study what cranes do, we are
on the right road.”
Ove Arup, 1980