An introduction to LEAN Facilities Management involves discussions about collaboration, competencies, tools, interpersonal relationships, delegation, strategy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and ongoing improvement.
Facilities Management is a leadership function with the central goal of maximizing value of with available resources. Technology is helpful for lowering associated implementation costs and to helping to assure consistency, but should not be the primary driver.
The Success of LEAN Facilities Management REQUIRES the following…
- A common understanding and commitment to the fact that facilities/built environment is critical to the organizational mission.
- Owner competency and leadership
- Collaborative and competent teams
- Ability to leverage disparate areas of expertise and/or cross-functional teams
- Financial transparency
- Shared risk/reward
- Common data environment
- Focus upon outcomes and best value
- Required collaboration
- Required training
- Continuous improvement
- Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Supporting tools, technologies, and services
- Life-cycle versus first-cost mindset
- Relationship building & long-term relationships
- Alignment of built structures with organizational mission
- Fully defined and written FM Execution Plan – outcomes, roles, responsibilities, work flows, metrics, requirements.
The fact that most FM executives list “budgeting and cost management” as their most significant challenge is indicative that the profession has a long way to go. Building internal and external capabilities and competencies should be the primary focus and challenge. Measurable FM gains can only be achieved when capable cross-functional teams are established within a supportive organization.
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