In this episode of KP Unpacked, the #1 podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with Chris Parsons, founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, to explore why knowledge management (KM) is no longer just an IT function—it's a strategic currency for AEC firms.
Chris shares his 15-year journey building Synthesis, a knowledge platform purpose-built for AEC, and how today's KM 3.0 (powered by AI) is reshaping how firms capture, share, and scale what they know. From navigating firm growth to managing M&A, this conversation covers what it really takes to design a smarter business.
🧭 Episode Chapters:
02:00 – Why Chris left firm life to build a KM company
07:30 – KM 1.0 → KM 2.0 → KM 3.0 (AI changes everything)
12:00 – The high cost of knowledge stuck in people’s heads
15:00 – What it means to “design your business like a building”
21:30 – AI’s role in making KM searchable and actionable
24:00 – KM as the secret weapon in M&A and scaling innovation
26:45 – Why executive sponsorship makes or breaks KM strategy
31:15 – Process is the product: rethinking “build vs. buy”
41:00 – Designing AI agents that work alongside humans
54:00 – The mindset shift every knowledge leader needs now
📚 Resources Mentioned:
👤 Guest:
Chris Parsons – Founder & CEO, Knowledge Architecture
🎙️ Host:
Jeff Eccles – Executive Director, Catalyst by KP Reddy Co.
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