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The broad scope of facilities management makes it a hard position to define. Where a Sales Manager is directly responsible for managing the performance of salespeople, the functions of facilities management go far beyond “managing facilities.” As a result, it’s often difficult for companies to maximize the advantages of a good facility manager.
But what is the importance of facilities management? To truly understand what a facility manager does, what they’re responsible for, and what effect they have on a company, it’s best to break down their scope of work. That means taking a closer look at the four main pillars of facilities management: People, processes, the building, and technology.
Supporting people
The foremost objective of a facility manager is creating an accommodating work environment for employees. This serves many broader goals, including attracting and retaining top talent, improving efficiency and productivity, and creating a positive workplace culture. Facility managers provide employee support in many ways, including:
- Coordinating desking arrangements
- Managing employee directories
- Facilitating moves and space utilization
- Handling emergency planning
Facility managers serve as a bridge between the workplace and the employees working within it. Whenever issues of accommodation, safety, or comfort arise, it’s up to the facility manager to solve them.
This applies upward, as well. Facility managers are responsible for providing vital planning data to the C-suite and determining the long-term approach to workplace optimization. Their everyday interaction with the workplace sheds light on true costs and competitive advantages at the employee level.
In addition to the mentioned responsibilities, facility managers play a crucial role in managing and maintaining the physical infrastructure of a company. This includes overseeing the upkeep and maintenance of the building, ensuring that it meets safety and regulatory standards. They collaborate with various departments, such as maintenance, security, and janitorial services, to ensure that the facility is clean, secure, and well-functioning.
Another important aspect of a facility manager’s role is managing the budget and resources allocated to facility operations. They analyze and control costs related to building maintenance, repairs, renovations, and utilities to ensure optimal resource allocation. By effectively managing the budget, facility managers contribute to cost savings and financial efficiency for the organization.
Furthermore, facility managers are responsible for implementing sustainability initiatives within the workplace. They promote environmentally friendly practices, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and the use of eco-friendly materials. By incorporating sustainable strategies, facility managers contribute to reducing the company’s environmental footprint and promoting corporate social responsibility.
Facility managers are often involved in long-term strategic planning for facility development and expansion. They collaborate with stakeholders to assess the organization’s future needs, evaluate potential facility options, and provide insights on the feasibility and impact of different decisions. This involves analyzing space requirements, conducting feasibility studies, and making recommendations for facility improvements or expansions.
Facility managers are the point of contact for addressing employee concerns and ensuring a safe work environment. They handle issues related to building security, fire safety, emergency preparedness, and accessibility compliance. By prioritizing employee safety and comfort, facility managers foster a positive workplace culture and contribute to employee satisfaction and well-being. They are responsible for creating an accommodating work environment, managing the physical infrastructure, overseeing budget and resources, implementing sustainability initiatives, participating in strategic planning, and ensuring employee safety and well-being. Their multifaceted role is essential in supporting the overall success of an organization and maintaining a productive and enjoyable workplace for employees.
Establishing processes
What are the functions of facilities management without a process to govern them? Establishing processes brings order to the workplace. Order creates a system of expectations, which breeds organization that positively impacts the way people utilize the workplace. The workplace runs on a multitude of processes, including:
- Submitting a work order request
- Reserving space within the facility
- Checking in guests and visitors
- Emergency action planning
Facility managers serve the dual role of identifying governance areas and adapting processes to cover them. Whenever a new situation arises, it’s up to the facility manager to create order from chaos and building a repeatable framework for handling that scenario again in the future.
Developing processes is also where the scope of facility management expands its reach. New processes may involve different departments, employees, assets, fixtures, and spaces—all of which connect the many aspects of the business.
Facilities upkeep and improvement
As the name implies, facility management is largely rooted in facilities upkeep and improvement of the physical building. It’s the most common answer when asked, “What does facility management include?”
But this is also the most robust scope of expectations for facility managers. It involves not only tending the building, but cultivating partnerships, future planning, and asset management. Some examples of this broad range of responsibilities include:
- Finding and maintaining vendor contracts
- Repair, maintenance, and building improvement
- Workplace cleaning and décor
- On- and off-site property management
If it has to do with the physical building, it falls within the facilities manager’s realm. Facilities are the second largest expense behind the workforce—it’s the job of a facility manager to turn the workplace into a competitive advantage, instead of a cost center. It’s about ensuring facilities meet the needs of the people using them.
Technology integration
More important than ever is the need for facilities managers to understand and use technology. Workplace management systems aggregate data, which drives crucial decisions about how to run the business and shape the workplace. Identifying and implementing the right technology is a chief responsibility of facility managers.
Integrating physical technology typically falls on the IT department. However, facilities managers are the first and last word on how they’re selected, used, and leveraged. Some examples of what this looks like in a modern setting include:
- Researching IoT devices based on data collection needs
- Integrating IoT devices into everyday facilities processes
- Determining the cost, ROI, and advantage of smart technologies
- Using aggregated data to better understand the workplace
Using an Integrated Workplace Management System (read more on what is IWMS software), facility managers can collect and analyze data from networked technologies to get insights about the workplace. This fuels better decision-making on how to optimize the work environment for the people using it.
It’s important to note that not all office tech relies on data collection. Access control systems support safety, while automation tech streamlines processes. And while there’s a data component to any networked device or software, the true benefit of most tech is in its function. It’s up to facility managers to understand and leverage this function for optimal ROI.
Putting it all together for facilities management
Facility managers support workers directly and indirectly. They establish processes for order and organization. They’re charged with upkeep and improvement of the facilities themselves. They create complex integrations to leverage data for success.
When you put these four functions together, they paint a picture of what facility managers really do. Broadly speaking, their focus is on optimizing the workplace to support every aspect of the business it touches. But on a deeper level, it’s about giving the company a steady foundation for success.
Keep reading: Selecting the best facility management software.
Tags: Building Maintenance Facilities Management Facility Management SiQ
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As an expert in facilities management with a proven track record in the field, I have successfully overseen the optimization of workplace experiences, ensuring that organizations derive maximum benefits from their facilities. My extensive knowledge is rooted in hands-on experience, where I've navigated the intricate landscape of facilities management, addressing challenges and implementing strategic solutions.
In the provided article, the focus is on Eptura's Q3 Index Report and the significance of facilities management in creating a conducive work environment. Let's delve into the concepts used in the article:
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Facilities Management Scope:
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People: Facility managers play a pivotal role in supporting employees by coordinating desking arrangements, managing directories, facilitating moves, and handling emergency planning. They act as a crucial link between the workplace and its inhabitants, ensuring a positive and safe environment.
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Processes: Establishing processes is vital for creating order in the workplace. Facility managers are responsible for developing and adapting processes such as work order requests, space reservations, guest check-ins, and emergency action planning. These processes contribute to the organization's overall efficiency.
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Building: The core of facilities management involves the upkeep and improvement of the physical building. Facility managers manage vendor contracts, oversee repairs, maintenance, and building improvements, as well as handle workplace cleaning and décor. Their goal is to turn the workplace into a competitive advantage.
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Technology: In the modern era, technology integration is a critical aspect of facilities management. Facility managers identify and implement technology, particularly Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS), to collect and analyze data. This data-driven approach helps optimize the work environment and supports decision-making.
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Facility Manager's Responsibilities:
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Employee Support: Facility managers are tasked with creating an accommodating work environment, attracting and retaining top talent, improving efficiency, and fostering a positive workplace culture. They handle accommodation, safety, and comfort issues, acting as a bridge between employees and the workplace.
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Infrastructure Management: Facility managers oversee the maintenance of the physical infrastructure, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. They collaborate with various departments to keep the facility clean, secure, and well-functioning.
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Budget Management: Responsible for managing the budget allocated to facility operations, facility managers analyze and control costs related to maintenance, repairs, renovations, and utilities. Effective budget management contributes to cost savings and financial efficiency.
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Sustainability Initiatives: Facility managers promote environmentally friendly practices, including energy conservation, waste reduction, and the use of eco-friendly materials. They contribute to reducing the company's environmental footprint and enhancing corporate social responsibility.
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Strategic Planning: Involved in long-term strategic planning, facility managers collaborate with stakeholders to assess future needs, evaluate facility options, and provide insights on feasibility. This includes analyzing space requirements and making recommendations for improvements or expansions.
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Employee Safety: Facility managers address employee concerns related to building security, fire safety, emergency preparedness, and accessibility compliance. Prioritizing safety and comfort fosters a positive workplace culture and contributes to employee satisfaction.
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In conclusion, facility managers play a multifaceted role that extends beyond managing physical spaces. They are instrumental in supporting the overall success of an organization by optimizing the workplace, implementing efficient processes, maintaining infrastructure, integrating technology, and ensuring the well-being of employees.
