Facility management is an important part of running a successful organization. As technology advances and new trends emerge, facility management professionals need to stay ahead of the curve in order to remain competitive. With that in mind, here are 6 things facility management professionals should be doing in 2023 to take their organization to the next level.
1: Improving Communication
Effective communication is essential for any successful organization. Facility managers need to ensure that all staff and stakeholders are kept informed about changes, updates, and developments. Facility managers should strive to improve communication within their organization. In order to do this, they need to identify and address any potential barriers to effective communication. This includes any language barriers, cultural differences, or lack of access to technology.
Facility managers should implement a robust communication strategy that takes into account their organization’s needs and goals. They should consider streamlining the variety of communication methods at their disposal, such as emails, text messages, and in-person and virtual meetings into a single source of truth for their team. Facility managers should also ensure that all staff and stakeholders are given the necessary training and support to be able to use the communication methods effectively. Oftentimes, small investments to improve communication have outsized returns for the team.
2: Investing in Employee Training
Investing in employee training is essential for any successful organization. Facility managers need to ensure that their staff are kept up-to-date on the latest technology, processes, and regulations. Maintaining a routine training cadence can help to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety. However, tracking and managing Standard Operating Procedures, Safety Processes, and Employee Resources can be a consuming task. Further, the accessibility of these materials are often out of sight of your team when needed the most. Facility managers can support their team’s needs and goals by leveraging technology to keep everything in one place and available to them in the field.
3: Embracing Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for modern organizations to ensure long-term viability and align with employee values. Facility managers need to ensure that their organization is taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. There are a variety of ways to reduce an organization’s environmental impact, such as:
- Increase the use of renewable energy sources to power the organization's operations.
- Implement sustainable transportation initiatives such as ride-share or telework programs for employees.
- Develop a comprehensive waste management program to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials.
- Enhance energy efficiency in all buildings and facilities by incorporating green building practices.
- Establish a corporate policy to purchase environmentally responsible and sustainable products and services.
- Develop a comprehensive water conservation plan to reduce water consumption.
- Increase the organization's awareness and education about sustainability through employee training and marketing campaigns.
- Develop a comprehensive carbon offset program to reduce the organization's carbon footprint.
- Partner with local organizations to implement sustainability initiatives in the community.
4: Enhancing Security
Security is an essential part of any successful organization. Facility managers need to ensure that their organization is taking steps to protect their staff, assets, and data. Standard policies need to be in place before more robust measures can be applied. Things like an access control policy to regulate which personnel have access to physical premises and resources, ensuring door and window locking mechanisms are functional, and surveillance systems, fences, and gates are appropriate for your organizations needs and goals.
After the baseline is in place, establishing processes for regularly testing the effectiveness of security systems and policies are needed. Create a plan for responding to security breaches, including how to contact emergency services and other necessary personnel. Test your recall and accountability for policies for managing of personnel, keys, access cards, and other security devices. In some more sensitive industries, establish a plan for disposing of sensitive documents and materials securely. Last, regular training of personnel on security policies and procedures is needed to ensure good execution of the policies.
5: Leveraging Data
Data is an essential part of any successful organization. Facility managers need to ensure that they are collecting and utilizing data to gain insights into facility usage, resource utilization, and efficiency. Data plays a significant role in managing budgets, equipment performance, and improving team performance.
- Operating Expenses: A facility manager should track total operating expenses, including labor, materials, and utilities, to ensure costs are in line with budget and to identify potential areas of cost savings.
- Equipment Performance: Tracking equipment performance metrics such as uptime, mean time between failures, and energy efficiency can help facility managers identify and address any issues before they escalate into major problems.
- Customer Satisfaction: Facility managers should track customer feedback and satisfaction surveys to ensure customers are receiving good service and the facility is meeting their needs.
6: Investing in Smart Technology
Smart technology is rapidly becoming a must-have for modern facility management. Maintenance Management Systems, IOT Device Monitor systems, Building Automation Systems, and more can help facility managers automate many tasks, such as monitoring energy use, scheduling maintenance, and tracking assets. This can help to reduce costs and improve efficiency. However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks. Smart technology can be expensive to install and maintain, and there are potential privacy and security implications. Ensuring you and your leadership team are aligned to your goals will ensure a successful rollout of a new program.
Overall, Facility managers should carefully evaluate the potential benefits and risks of investing in smart technology before making a decision. They should also consider the return on investment and how it will impact their organization’s bottom line. Facility managers should be sure to research and select the best technology for their needs and budget. FlowPath has industry-leading customer support and has been recognized as one of the simplest platforms to adopt in Facilities Management.
That is just the start. There are always improvements happening within Facilities Management. Maintaining flexibility and adaptability will ensure a long-term successful outcome for any organization. However, by implementing these 6 strategies, facility management professionals will be on the road to taking their organization to the next level in 2023.
About FlowPath
Founded in 2019, FlowPath is a facilities management software that automates work orders, maintenance, communication, notifications, projects, and reporting in a simple-to-use platform that can be leveraged across industries. To learn more, visit https://www.getflowpath.com
