Facilities management is an important part of any organisation’s success. It involves the coordination of resources and services such as maintenance, safety, and security in order to ensure the efficient operation of a company's facilities. While facilities management can be a rewarding career, it also can present a variety of challenges. Here are five of the most common challenges of facilities management.
1. Keeping Up With Technology
Technology is constantly evolving, and facilities management must keep up with the latest trends in order to stay up to date with the industry. This includes learning new software and hardware, understanding new regulations, and being aware of the newest developments in energy efficiency. It also requires staying on top of the latest trends in the industry, such as the use of automation and artificial intelligence.
2. Managing Budgets
Facilities managers must manage budgets efficiently in order to ensure the organisation can meet its financial goals. This includes understanding the cost of materials, labor, and other resources, as well as knowing how to maximize the use of available funds. Facilities managers must also be able to negotiate with vendors and suppliers in order to get the best prices on necessary items.
3. Overseeing Maintenance
Facilities managers are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of all of the organisation’s facilities. This includes ensuring that all machines, systems, and equipment are functioning properly, as well as scheduling regular maintenance and repairs. Facilities managers must also be able to diagnose and troubleshoot any problems that arise.
4. Creating and Implementing Policies
Facilities managers are responsible for creating and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the organisation’s facilities. This includes establishing rules and regulations, developing safety protocols, and monitoring compliance (such as ESG) with applicable laws and regulations.
5. Managing Personnel
Facilities managers must also manage personnel, which includes hiring, training, and supervising staff members. They must also be able to effectively communicate with personnel and ensure that everyone is working together to achieve the company’s goals.
These are just a few of the many challenges of facilities management. In addition to these, facilities managers must also be able to handle emergencies and manage risk, as well as continuously monitor the organisation’s facilities in order to ensure they are operating at maximum efficiency. Facilities management can be a challenging but rewarding career, and those who are able to effectively manage these challenges can become successful in the field.
At Aireavu, we help facilities managers to find efficient ways to run their buildings. Contacts us here.