In Breaking new ground: Resource management in the world of architecture and design, host Christine Robinson heads into new territory with guest Adriana Neves, Resource Manager at Norris Design.
Adriana offers a fresh take on building the function in a fast-paced, creative environment where resource management is still taking shape. Driven by curiosity and a love of people and process, she shares what it’s like to lay the foundations for success in a sector where the rules are still being written. From spaghetti diagrams to lightbulb moments, Adriana unpacks what makes resource management work in her world.
We’ve highlighted some key insights from the episode—but catch the full conversation for more real-world resource management strategies and perspectives.
“The projects are different, but the fundamentals are the same.”
Christine and Adriana dive straight into the contrasts—and surprising similarities—between their worlds. In audit and tax, that might mean resourcing year-end audits, quarterly reviews, or tax compliance engagements. In Adriana’s world, it’s designing parks and cityscapes, planning pool decks, or coordinating large-scale landscaping projects.
On the surface, the work is worlds apart. But the core mechanics are the same: approvals to manage, skills to match, and schedules to plan.
“The pace is very fast. There are a lot of external factors that can dictate the pace of projects, so you have to be very fluid and dynamic. You pivot a lot, but communication is key—if the team isn’t in the loop, challenges come up quickly later.” - Adriana Neves
For Christine, the conversation was a fresh takeaway: even in worlds as different as architecture and accounting, resource management runs on the same core mechanics.
“Swap designing a pool deck with CECL standards and you’ve got an accounting resource manager right there.” - Christine Robinson
Adriana also adds that in her industry, the work of resource management has always been there—but the dedicated role is still new, and recognition of its value is starting to grow.
“I haven’t met many people in my industry with the title of resource manager, but that doesn’t mean resource management isn’t happening. It’s rather new in the industry, and I don’t think it’s very well recognized. But things like this podcast and other webinars are creating more awareness, which I hope will encourage other firms to start paying attention.” – Adriana Neves
“Resource management really does exist everywhere, regardless of if you call it resource management. It might not be happening well, but it is happening.” - Christine Robinson
“That's so not admin.”
Adriana describes how resource management at Norris Design grew organically over time, until the business reached what Christine calls “critical mass”—the point when an organization recognizes the business value of investing in a dedicated role.
“This is so frequently the story of how resource management positions are created. You might have a smaller accounting firm with a partner managing resources on the side of their main role. Is it as strategic as it should be? Absolutely not. But eventually, they hit that critical mass where they think, 'Hey, we could do this better. We could do this more strategically.'” - Christine Robinson
Adriana pushes back on the idea that resource management is just admin—stressing that it’s a role built on strategy, problem-solving, and connection.
“It’s knowing someone’s skills, someone’s experience, connecting them with the right project at the right time, creating opportunities for everyone. And that’s so not admin. It’s bringing better tools, implementing best practices, setting expectations, and explaining the strategy behind how and why things should work a certain way.” - Adriana Neves
“I call it the spaghetti diagram.”
Early in her role, Adriana had a lightbulb moment that cemented just how strategic and interconnected resource management really is.
“I created a diagram because I needed to make sense of what I was seeing. There was no process map, so I started mapping everything out. At first, it seemed straightforward, but then it became a mess. I called it the spaghetti diagram. For me, it was the moment I realized how complex this is, how intertwined it is with other departments, and how it connects to how we operate as an organization.” - Adriana Neves
Christine calls this one of her key takeaways for listeners—an exercise worth doing no matter your sector, level, or role.
“One of my takeaways for listeners is: take the time to do this. I don’t care what industry you’re in—there’s a visual you can create that shows where you fit in and the value you bring. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it can be eye-opening to see how much your role influences.” - Christine Robinson
“Am I explaining my vision well?"
Adriana shares that once a dedicated resource management role is in place, the real work is helping others see its strategic value. For her, that starts with a simple but powerful question: "Am I explaining my vision well?"
“Am I explaining my vision well—explaining what I’m trying to accomplish so they can see the strategy behind it? Good communication is key. Clear, effective communication sets expectations for how things will work and why they should work that way. Over time, that helps those who see it as an admin task start to see it differently.” - Adriana Neves
“If I can make for one, I can make for two.”
Adriana highlights the ripple effect resource management can have—not just on projects, but on the environment people work in every day. For her, success means creating the conditions where individuals can thrive, knowing that the benefits will multiply across the business.
“I guess what I am trying to do is help create a better environment for everyone. And if I can make for one, I can make for two, and I can make for three. And then overall help everybody. If I can help create a better environment for everybody, I’m happy.” - Adriana Neves
That better environment starts with getting the right people, with the right skills and passion, onto the right projects. Done well, she says, it sets the tone for success from the very beginning.
“It’s seeing the importance of bringing the right team member onto a project or initiative. Bringing the right folks with the right skill set and passion makes everything easier. The more I work on initiatives and help staff projects, the more I can see how we’re setting up a project for success from the beginning. It’s about bringing the right people together.” - Adriana Neves
“The most rewarding moments haven’t been meeting a utilization target."
For Christine, Adriana’s approach speaks to one of the most valuable aspects of resource management: its human impact.
“My philosophy on resource management is very much that it’s not just about work, work, work, productivity, productivity, utilization. Yes, that’s part of it, and yes, we measure it—we’re trying to run a business here.
But in my experience, the most rewarding moments haven’t been meeting a utilization target. It's understanding the people behind those numbers and asking what are their career aspirations? It’s the handwritten note from someone about the opportunity they got. It’s been the individual who worked on a year-long engagement that was her dream job in a location she wanted to move to.” - Christine Robinson
Adriana shares that one of her favorite parts of the role is opening those doors—helping people succeed in their current roles while creating opportunities that align with their ambitions.
I absolutely love the people side—working with people, understanding how I can best support them, how a process can best support them so they can be better at their jobs and not feel overwhelmed. For them to be successful—whether on a project, in their department, or in their role—it’s about how I can best support them so they can be their best self and go after the things they want.” - Adriana Neves
Across industries and episodes, the conversation comes back to the same truth: resource management isn’t just about allocating work—it’s about shaping environments where people thrive, and where businesses thrive as a result.
Catch the full episode for more stories, insights, and lightbulb moments from Adriana and Christine.
