Managing a facility involves more than just cleaning the office grounds and spotting infrastructure problems. Facilities managers need to go way beyond in implementing new technologies and enhancing their skills through training and plenty of sage advice. Here are a few tips to help you succeed in facility management.
Keep Learning
The emergence of the internet has made it easier to access various educational materials in the comfort of your home. You can read informative articles on facility management, listen to podcasts, and even watch videos on YouTube. Develop interest in anything that can positively contribute to your facilities management best practices and skillset.
Engage with Others
The best way to find expert advice is to attend networking events and conferences. These events bring in professionals to share their journey in facility management, including their achievements and failures, to help you learn from them. It is also the best place to connect with mentors and other like-minded peers and build robust professional relationships.
Acquire the Necessary Tools
Check if you have all the tools you need to manage and steward facilities. Use new technologies to track and process new orders while enhancing efficiency within the team. For instance, facility management software will help reduce team workload, enabling you to focus more on your mission. An event management and scheduling software will come in handy in eliminating double bookings while strategically planning for your future events.
Make Use of Modern Smart Sensor Solutions
Adopting smart sensors in all your facilities will enable you to enhance the occupants’ comfort while obtaining detailed information about them. These include the occupants’ location, presence, count, movement, and activity. Besides, the technology will enable you to maximize space through meeting room management, hot desking, and space planning.
Develop a Proactive Facility Plan
As a proactive facility manager, you need to have a maintenance schedule for every facility’s system and equipment. That way, you can identify when a system or equipment is due for maintenance. Additionally, you need a plan to track all the equipment and supplies you need to keep the building operational, including equipment, spare parts, and cleaning supplies. Ensure you keep proper records of all the maintenance.
Familiarize Yourself With Local Laws and Regulations
Laws and regulations at local, federal, and state levels dictate how to maintain a building and which procedures and processes to put in place. For instance, you need to know which special events require you to obtain a permit before holding them in the facility. Stay informed about the laws that govern the renovation of historic buildings.
Plan for the Unexpected
Despite being on top of maintenance, urgent infrastructure problems still happen. You need to anticipate them and find a way to fix the issues when they arise. Prioritize flexibility to accommodate every issue.
Succeeding in facility management takes a lot of hard work. It is vital to find unique ways to keep your facilities operational and safe as you keep learning. Ensure you develop a plan for every activity to avoid confusion and forgetting.