The role of facility management in the success of an industrial facility is significant. The facility manager is responsible for positioning the facility for success in terms of operations, safety, functionality, technology and personnel management, etc. Facility management is a big-picture responsibility that must be able to focus on and synthesize operational details across every function of the facility.
What is facility management? The 11 core competencies
An effective facility management system and manager will possess expertise in the following 11 core competencies, as defined by the International Facility Management Association:
- Occupancy and human factors: Better ensures the facility is safe, healthy and secure for workers, and furthermore fosters an environment of support, innovation, diversity and development — all of which ultimately benefit the organization. Human resources functions such as performance assessment and goal setting factor into this competency.
- Operations and maintenance: Closely oversees and tracks maintenance practices, issues and systems throughout the facility. While maintenance personnel are responsible for day-to-day functions, the facility manager develops maintenance strategy and planning.
- Sustainability: Identifies opportunities for sustainable processes and technology to benefit the external environment as well as facility operations. Develops, implements and oversees sustainability practices and enhances them as warranted.
- Facility information and technology management: Stays up to date with industrial maintenance technology, and identifies and implements opportunities for technology upgrades throughout the facility. Manages installation, planning and evaluation for new technology.
- Risk management: Creates emergency management and continuity plans for unexpected events. Designs and manages emergency testing and simulation to assure preparedness throughout the organization.
- Communication: Oversees, at a high level, all communication throughout the facility — including announcements, maintenance notices, process reminders, mission statements and safety communication. Provides input on communication methods, channels, messaging and more. Reports on communication effectiveness to stakeholders.
- Performance and quality: Creates performance and quality standards, including benchmarks, assessment methodology, metrics, best practices and service level agreements. Closely monitors quality performance and creates and implements improvement plans as necessary. Measures and reports on quality for the organization.
- Leadership and strategy: Is highly visible as a competent leader in all aspects of facility operations. Provides support and assistance wherever requested and required. Advocates on behalf of the facility as an asset. Provides communication and transparency into processes and strategy, and solicits feedback for improvement from all levels throughout the organization. Remains up to date on facility best practices, and is a thought leader.
- Real estate: Understands, identifies and manages real estate needs — including facility footprint and external environment. Plays a key role in real estate acquisition, leasing, sales and portfolio management.
- Project management: Identifies project needs and manages personnel, vendors, contracts, budgets, evaluation and reporting on project results.
- Finance and business: Understands and prepares financial documents and reports including budgets, contracts, balance sheets/P&Ls, procurement, chargebacks and more. Collaborates as necessary with accounting and finance personnel to assure copacetic financial practices.
Benefits of effective facility management
The benefits of a competent, effective facility manager, and thus effective facility management, are many. A successful facility manager is a vocal, visible advocate for continuous improvement throughout the facility — especially in high-value, high-impact areas such as technology, maintenance, process, sustainability and more. ATS can help take facility management to the next level, with:
- Comprehensive factory maintenance, implementing cutting-edge maintenance technology and fulfilling maintenance processes with highly trained, specialized personnel
- Staffing solutions — utilizing our recruiting and training processes and strategies, and freeing the facility manager to focus on more specialized tasks
- Maintenance technology, introducing data-driven practices such as predictive maintenance, remote monitoring and industrial sensors.
For more information about facility management, contact an ATS representative today.
