The result of a firm retreat, staff workgroup formation, and professional development planning will be to encourage the creation of a culture of learning. Because the practice of architecture is broad and complex, continuous learning is a vital part of the individual professional life and critical to a firm's ability to perform at the highest levels. Firms that encourage knowledge creation and sharing continue to innovate and build valuable expertise.

With a culture of learning in place, organizational knowledge is passed onto each new staff member, so that ‘reinventing the wheel’ is not necessary and energy can be channeled into finding creative solutions for the firm's clients. A culture of learning is one in which there is mentoring, risk-taking, and a generosity of spirit when it comes to knowledge sharing. Because architecture is a knowledge-based endeavor, creating a culture of learning is crucial to the success of any firm.