227: Beyond the Tools: What It Actually Takes to Build a Digital Practice

Why does the architecture profession have a technology adoption problem that has almost nothing to do with technology?This week on Practice Disrupted, Evelyn sits down with Melvin Williams III, a Digital Practice Leader at HKS, to explore the underlying machinery of firm transformation. Melvin shares his unconventional path from being a trainee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he first viewed architecture as a single component within a massive operational system, to founding his own consulting firm and eventually leading digital strategy at one of the world’s largest architecture practices. Together, they discuss why the real barrier to innovation isn't the software we use, but the leadership and culture required to sustain it.The conversation dives deep into the "messy" reality of digital transformation. Melvin reflects on his years as a consultant at Microdesk, where he observed that while firms are often fluent in project execution, they struggle with the "bridge building" needed to evolve their business models. He challenges the industry's historical reliance on 2D artifact production and explains why technology should be viewed as operational leverage rather than just an overhead expense. By shifting the focus from BIM libraries to system-level thinking, Melvin illustrates how firms can move past the "horse and buggy" mentality to embrace a more integrated, data-driven future."Architecture can't really remain centered on artifact production. It has to evolve towards system level thinking about delivery. And when you do that, you start to see that the advantage is going to belong to firms that can design both buildings and the mechanisms by which those buildings are delivered. And that's digital practice, right?" - Melvin Williams IIIThis episode is an essential look at the soft skills required to drive hard changes in AEC. Melvin shares the hard-earned lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey, including the importance of "failing fast", and how those experiences shaped his approach to mentoring leadership on tech adoption. Whether you are a firm leader trying to justify a technology budget or a technologist looking to move from the "help desk" to the board room, this discussion provides a roadmap for building the organizational clarity that makes adoption actually stick.Guest:Melvin Williams III is a Digital Practice Leader at HKS, where he focuses on building the internal culture and systems necessary for true digital transformation. With a career spanning the Port Authority of NY and NJ, his own consulting practice, and years as a specialist at Microdesk, Melvin brings a systems-design perspective to the architecture profession. He is a dedicated advocate for rethinking how technology can strategically align and empower architecture firms.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are a firm leader struggling to move beyond "traditional" workflows and want to understand the cultural barriers to tech adoption.✅ You are a technologist who feels like "overhead" and wants to learn how to communicate your value as a strategic business partner.✅ You are curious about the difference between project execution and systems design in a large-scale practice.✅ You want to hear an honest perspective on why many digital transformation efforts fail when the "third-party" consultants leave.✅ You are interested in how early career exposure to infrastructure and government agencies can reshape a designer's understanding of buildings.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about HKS Connect with Melvin on LinkedIn📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation