Global Job Task Analysis for the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)

Executive Summary

In an effort to develop a global definition and description of the practice of landscape architecture, the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) partnered to conduct a Global Job Task Analysis. Goals included:

• better understand the profession of landscape architecture across the globe from the perspective of practitioners
• identify how practice is similar or different globally, regionally and nationally
• broaden the scope of the landscape architecture profession, where possible

A job task analysis (JTA) is a systematic procedure for analyzing the tasks performed by individuals in an occupation, as well as the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform those tasks.

IFLA is a not-for-profit, nonpolitical, non-governmental organization that represents the world body of landscape architects through its member associations and regions and in both governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as the UN, UNESCO, UIA, etc. IFLA’s mission is to create globally sustainable and balanced living environments for the benefit of humanity worldwide.

CLARB is a nonprofit association that works to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare by establishing and promoting professional licensure standards in Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. CLARB’s mission is to design and promote landscape architectural standards.

Full report available to CLARB Council Record Holders and CLARB Member Boards. Please log in to access. 

• Landscape architects design or participate in the design of a wide variety of project types, though a majority of respondents (84.54%) had designed or participated in the design of “public and private parks, gardens, recreational space, community gathering / event spaces, playgrounds” projects. “Energy facilities” was the least represented (13.96%) project category.

   

• 65.74% responded that they are employed in the private sector or freelance/self-employed, and a majority of those (39.05%) reported working in a landscape architecture firm. 18.33% reported working in the public/government sector and 11.78% in academics.

   

• For a professional working in the field of landscape architecture, respondents ranked “Environmental Sustainability / Conservation of Nature, ” “Design with Nature / Biophilia / Biodiversity / Balanced Ecosystems” and “Social Sustainability” as the most important values.

   

• Respondents were asked to rank the importance and frequency of a wide range of tasks. The following tasks were ranked both Very Important and were performed Frequently or Very Frequently (with most respondents indicating Very Frequently), suggesting that these tasks are performed often and considered important by landscape architects:
  • Conduct Site Analysis (72.53% Very Important; 42.16% Very Frequently)
  • Prepare Concept Design (69.86% Very Important; 53.59% Very Frequently)
  • Conduct Design Development (Detailed Design) (67.79% Very Important; 47.33% Very Frequently)
  • Finalize Design (67.15% Very Important; 45.05% Very Frequently)
    
    
• Finalize Construction Documents (63.04% Very Important; 38.53% Very Frequently)