214: ‘Partnering with AI to Solve Knowledge Problems’, with Todd Henderson and Christopher Parsons
A conversation with Todd Henderson and Christopher Parsons about partnering with AI to solve knowledge problems, building a learning culture in architecture firms, and the practical applications of KM 3.0 in enhancing project delivery and collaboration.
In this special partner episode, Todd Henderson and Christopher Parsons join the podcast to talk about what it really takes to build a learning culture inside an architecture firm—one that actually sticks, scales, and improves project delivery over time in this final installment of the KM 3.0 series.
Drawing from Todd’s background in Lean, Scrum, and healthcare design—as well as Chris’s leadership in knowledge management, intranets, and now AI-enabled search—the conversation goes straight to the operational reality: how people learn, how they share what they know, how they improve, and why many firms fall short. The episode explores the evolving role of AI-augmented KM, the importance of making institutional knowledge searchable, the value of intranets that don’t die on the vine, and how learning management systems give firms a real advantage in consistency and quality.
Todd also breaks down practical strategies for coaching teams, supporting project managers, and turning continuous improvement into a repeatable habit rather than a once-a-year aspiration.
About the KM 3.0 Series
This episode concludes a seven-part, in-depth series created in partnership with Knowledge Architecture, designed to give the AEC industry a comprehensive, modern framework for knowledge management. Across these seven conversations, leaders from operations, digital practice, learning & development, and technology share what’s actually working inside their firms—and how they’re using KM, AI, intranets, and training systems to move from isolated expertise to firm-wide capability.
The result is a robust, openly accessible resource for anyone in AEC looking to build or modernize a KM program. Whether you’re starting from scratch or leveling up an existing initiative, the KM 3.0 series delivers a rare combination of strategic clarity, practical examples, and hard-won lessons from people doing the work every day.
If you’re responsible for digital practice, firm operations, KM, or elevating your team’s skills, this finale ties the whole series together and points toward what’s possible. It’s an in depth look at how firms can work smarter today than they did yesterday using the right systems, culture, and leadership making that future achievable.
Original episode page: https://trxl.co/214
Watch This Episode on YouTube:
Connect with the Guests
Todd Henderson – Principal, Boulder Associates
- Todd on LinkedIn
- Todd’s Boulder Associates Bio – Lean leader, ScrumMaster, and healthcare architect helping teams “do what we do better today than yesterday.”
- Boulder Associates Website – Healthcare-focused architecture and interior design practice where Todd leads from the San Francisco office.
- Boulder Associates on LinkedIn
Christopher Parsons — Founder & CEO, Knowledge Architecture
- Christopher Parsons on LinkedIn
- Knowledge Architecture Website
- Knowledge Architecture on LinkedIn
- KM 3.0 Overview
- Synthesis – KA’s intranet platform
- Synthesis AI Search
- KA Connect Conference – Community-driven event for knowledge management in AEC
- Smarter by Design Newsletter
Previous KM 3.0 Series Episodes
- TRXL 190: ‘AI + KM = Smarter AEC Firms’, with Christopher Parsons
- TRXL 194: ‘CEO as Knowledge Architect’, with Ellen Bensky and Christopher Parsons
- TRXL 198: ‘Unlocking Sustainability with AI-Powered Knowledge Management’, with Corey Squire and Christopher Parsons
- TRXL 202: ‘Knowledge Management is Everyone‘s Job’, with Katie Robinson and Christopher Parsons
- TRXL 208: ‘Aligning AI with Firm Values’, with Kate Grimes and Christopher Parsons
- TRXL 211: ‘Discovering the Value of AI Through Experimentation’, with James Martin and Jess Purcell
About Todd Henderson:
With 20+ years of experience as a healthcare architect, Todd has recently come to recognize that his deepest professional satisfaction comes not from project work but from facilitating organizational improvement. As a result, he has pivoted to a role of Director of Practice Improvement, taking on assignments that target critical business needs.
He sees his calling as being an agent of change to help achieve strategic business goals more effectively by, for example, leaning on systems thinking to uncover leverage points for action. He takes inspiration — and "borrows" ideas — from powerful schools of thought like lean, agile, and knowledge management. He gets unreasonably excited about using what he's learned to help the people around him experience greater ease in their work.
Outside of work, Todd loves to cook, especially Indian and Chinese cuisines and slow things like fermenting miso or making cheese. He tinkers with electronics, coding, and 3D printing, often in ways to facilitate his food projects. Running, rucking, hiking, and feeble attempts at fishing round-out his freetime.
About Christopher Parsons:
As Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, Christopher is responsible for product development, marketing, and organizational health. He is also the executive producer of KA Connect, our annual knowledge management conference for the AEC Industry. Christopher has been a technology leader in the AEC industry since 2002, including serving as the Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Architects and the Information Technology Director for SMWM (now Perkins+Will).
