Olumba Blog

Insights for A&E Teams

Practical guidance on RFI management, design collaboration, and document control for architecture and engineering professionals.

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Project Management

Drawing Numbering for Multi-Discipline Sets

A drawing numbering system needs to survive a multi-discipline set with hundreds of sheets — and still make sense to someone in the field. Here's what that looks like.

Ugo Mbelu·March 16, 2026·5 min read
split-image visual: one side shows a clean client view of a project with polished drawings and status updates; the other shows a more complex internal coordination view
Project Management

Client Access Boundaries on A&E Projects

Giving clients access to your project is smart. Giving them access to everything is a mistake. Here's how to think about the right level of client visibility.

Ugo Mbelu·March 14, 2026·4 min read
A team of three or four people gathered around a monitor showing a  kanban board.
Project Management

Task Systems Architecture Teams Will Use

The best task management system is the one your team actually uses. Here's how to design one that sticks — without overcomplicating it.

Ugo Mbelu·March 14, 2026·4 min read
A laptop and phone side by side, both showing a clean project dashboard view.
Project Management

Client Portals for Architecture Firms

Most architects share information with clients via email attachments and shared drive links. There's a better way — and it doesn't require enterprise software to get there.

Ugo Mbelu·March 12, 2026·5 min read
A clean desk with a laptop, tablet, and simple notebook. Minimalist. One coffee cup.
Project Management

The PM Stack for Small Architecture Firms

Most small architecture firms are either drowning in too many tools or getting by on spreadsheets and shared drives. Here's what a practical PM stack actually looks like.

Ugo Mbelu·March 9, 2026·5 min read
A presentation layout printed drawings, a bound booklet, a tablet showing a digital presentation.
Project Management

Client Communication by Design Phase

Most architects know what to deliver to clients. Fewer have a system for it. Here's exactly what client communication should look like from SD through CDs.

Ugo Mbelu·March 8, 2026·4 min read
A large-format project timeline pinned to a wall, with colored sticky notes
Project Management

Design Phase Project Management for A&E Firms

The design phase is where projects get made or broken. Here's a practical framework for managing it — from schematic design through CDs — without losing the thread.

Ugo Mbelu·March 7, 2026·6 min read
How to Track Design Decisions on A&E Projects
Project Management

How to Track Design Decisions on A&E Projects

Design decisions made in week two can haunt you in month eight. Here's a practical system for capturing decisions in a way your whole team can actually use.

Ugo Mbelu·March 6, 2026·5 min read