Five Trends to Optimize Strategic Facility Management
A properly managed facility aligns the building's design with the occupants' purpose. Operations and management departments give the building flexibility to adjust to the ebb and flow of the work it supports. A strategically managed facility plans, maintains, and monitors the fundamental business activities.
Here are five tips for strategic facility management:
1) Prioritize the client
Before creating an action plan, one must understand the needs of the group being served.
Be conscious of the following:
The action plan is congruent with the client's overall goals and objectives
Know the organization's products and deliverables
Please communicate with the client to understand what they consider are challenges and limitations
Develop a strategy to minimize limits, in turn maximizing productivity and personnel
For clients, their facility is a long-term asset; it helps protect their investment. An effective facility manager stays aligned with the client's business strategy and can produce results tailored to their needs.
2) Metrics on facility usage
Understanding the daily functions of a client's environment is critical to a tactical action plan. Forecasting occupant-facility behavior allows adaptability in emergencies.
Metrics to consider:
The volume of foot traffic
Types of usage in segmented areas
External impact concerns
Facility cost drivers and budgeting
The focus should be on the process management of different areas, facilitating the implementation of an action plan with room for modifications.
3) Define your KPIs
Key performance indicators (KPI) measure the applications of functional care to a facility. Understanding metrics of facility usage can help determine which KPIs are best suited for the needs of the building and its occupants. These measurements quantify the value delivered by the operations and management teams.
Criteria for a good KPI:
Measurable
Evaluate in periods
Relevant to the client
Creates efficiencies
Reduces expenses
KPIs are gateways to the Balance Scorecard, tracking data and bridging strategy to performance.
Sample KPI:
Deferred Maintenance Backlog
Unscheduled Maintenance Downtime
Emergency Response Time
Percent Work Return
4) Concentrate on customer service
Clients may need to comprehend the complete inner workings of a facility, but if improper facility management negatively affects their processes, there can be severe ramifications. It is best to stay ahead of any potential mishaps.
Maintain close relationships with clients:
Join advising committees to be a part of the organizational conversations
Survey assessments of the client to ensure delivery of a solid product to their satisfaction
Daily communications with the client about collected metrics (usage, KPI, Balance Scorecard)
More organizations are abandoning the short-contract job model of facility management for a more long-term relationship model, staying loyal to the organization that works best for them.
5) Stay up to date on trends and tech.
The function of facilities has evolved over the past several decades and will continue to change at an alarming rate. The nature of work and social interaction are constantly evolving with frequent technological developments. Organizations are reconfiguring office layouts, creating more spaces conducive to creative innovations, or eliminating traditional brick-and-mortar facilities for a more fluid interpretation of an office.
Stay ahead of the curve with knowledge of:
Research of burgeoning technologies
Energy efficient infrastructure and use of renewable energy sources
Multi-function furniture and design
Adaptability to the new 24/7 workday
Layout for everyday activities and collaborative space
Capabilities for global communications
Intelligent buildings will incorporate cloud technology and IoT into every element of the building structure. Dependency on the internet has revolutionized the idea of a functional facility. Staying on pace with trending technology is vital to an organization, and a facility manager who can keep up is a true asset.
As a facility manager, being a client partner means anticipating needs, implementing action plans with measurable success rates, and communicating findings with clients. Satisfying these steps is a strategic move to secure loyalties and occupant-facility cohesion.
