Xempla

Tag: facilities

  • How FM Teams Can Demonstrate the Impact of Every Proactive Measure

    How FM Teams Can Demonstrate the Impact of Every Proactive Measure

    Facility managers are responsible for a diverse range of tasks. They are expected to achieve more with less, meet customer expectations, as well as make a proactive impact.

    How do they demonstrate the impact of the measures they take?

    Through measurement and verification, which are absolutely an important component of energy efficiency.

    With a bit of commitment and an understanding of the small yet proactive measures they take to deliver exemplary asset performance, they’ll be proactive in no time.

    So now we’re asking every FM team to press the pause button and dedicate a certain amount of time to being proactive.

    Our Founder & CEO Umesh Bhutoria spoke about the “black box” technique, which he first presented in his early consultancy days, to show how facility managers can cut costs and drive savings while putting the idea more in the context of facility management.

    Here are six steps facility managers can follow to demonstrate the outcomes of the proactive measure they take at the asset level.

    #1 Keep it simple. Every saving matters!

    Often, facility managers encounter several challenges in order to efficiently maintain their facilities, equipment, and infrastructure. If you’re working on a project to add value, it can be a change in the maintenance schedule, putting in place proper operation standards, or performing any energy-efficiency assessment. Keep it simple, as every savings you make matters.

    #2 Define the localised boundary

    The second step, which is actually quite easy, impacts your overall planning. Hence, you must define the localised boundary of your project. Let’s suppose, you are working on Air Handling Unit (AHU) maintenance. At that time, selecting a Fan Coil Unit (FCU) or chiller for the facility should come first. You should not consider it as a component of a huge facility; instead, consider it at the localised level.

    This would be quite beneficial if you do not have downstream flow metering solutions at your availability. Although your chillers would have BTU metres, it’s unlikely that every AHU or FCU would. Therefore, the majority of the facilities we have seen—roughly 70%—fit this description.

    #3 Establish a baseline

    Depending on the type of data available, you could use one of the three methods listed below even in the absence of metered data.

    1. Tick off crucial numbers using operational data from the BMS.
    2. Utilise measured data obtained from clamp-on metres or power analyzers.
    3. If data cannot be measured, refer to manuals or standard operating procedures once more.

    While having metered data is considered to be the best approach, not every FM company has it. And you must consider the other available alternatives that could uphold the engineering principle.

    #4 Time to make a proactive impact

    How can you be certain that you are taking proactive measures? 

    Repeating the process you did in step three will give you the opportunity to make a proactive impact on the current project. By being proactive, you can minimise downtime and maintain the asset for a longer period of time. 

    #5 Evaluate the difference from all perspectives

    Without a doubt, you cannot be proactive if you cannot demonstrate the impact. Here comes our fifth step which is slightly linked to the third and fourth steps. 

    If you do not have metered data employ all three methods so that you have multiple references, not just one which is likely the ideal situation to be in. As a result, it will be easier for you to establish the difference from all perspectives.

    #6 Amplify the process for all proactive measures

    Amplifying is really important in the long run. You just need to access the data you require and accelerate the process across the site. At the end of the day, you will make a significant impact, which is visible to all. And, having a plan and process in place will undoubtedly help you with that.

    The idea is always to add the small numbers up because they will eventually pave the way to creating a huge impact. 

    Let’s do a quick recap of all the steps we discussed above. 

    Whether or not you currently have a set of methods and processes in place to demonstrate the impact of small proactive measures to customers or stakeholders, use this blog as a guide to assist you in taking each small step toward making a big difference.  

    Even if it takes time, the savings you have made will show up. And although proper downstream metering is essential, it shouldn’t be the last thing that prevents your team from making a proactive impact.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Great Facilities Manager

    The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Great Facilities Manager

    The facility management discipline is growing more dynamic and cost-conscious by the day, and facilities managers need to master a few essentials to be on top of the game. A facility manager’s responsibilities are typically vast and varied, ranging from providing exceptional customer service to ensuring that the entire building is in good working condition. If you’re thinking about improving your role as facility manager, this article addresses five important areas that you should be focusing on and offers cost cutting tips to steer your career towards success.

    Let’s get started!

    Five important things to focus on to become a great facilities manager

    Just like with any job, the most valuable and exceptional employees are the ones who not only fulfill their individual responsibilities on time, but also work towards making the company as a whole more successful. Here are five ways facility managers can improve their performance while helping their company grow:

    1. Aligning your work with organizational goals and values

    For facility managers, having a strong grasp of the organization’s goals and values helps to perform all their responsibilities with greater drive and passion. Aligning facility efforts with big picture stuff involves recognizing the best interests of not only the top level management, but also people working at various levels throughout the organization. From minimizing operational expenses to ensuring a safe and productive environment for work, there are a number of ways facility managers should be reflecting the company culture in their maintenance and workspace management programs. 

    1. Understanding contract requirements and laws that affect the facility 

    One of the first things for facility managers to focus on is understanding the contract requirements, starting with the service level agreement (SLA). Facility managers must pay special attention to the contract’s scope of services and take note of any consequences for non-performance or violations. They’ll need to know the service delivery standards, as well as the key performance indicators (KPIs) that must be met and how performance will be monitored. 

    It is also important to conduct a facility condition assessment (FCA) to check the current state of the physical structure(s) and the performance of various systems. In addition, facility managers must have in-depth knowledge of the local, state and national laws and regulations that affect facility operations and maintenance processes.These can range from building restrictions, local zoning laws, security codes regarding occupancy levels, and fire safety measures, to maintenance standards and renovation rules among others. 

    1. Practicing Sustainability 

    While getting the job done is extremely important, it’s even more rewarding to get it done in ‘sustainable’ fashion! Companies are looking for sustainable alternatives to current ways of functioning of assets and procedures in their buildings due to the escalating environmental crisis. When it comes to job applications, more than 70% of people choose to work for a green company over a non-green one.   

    A large portion of the responsibility to bring about this green shift falls on the facility manager. They’re expected to minimize the company’s environmental impact by cutting down consumption and waste of resources and lowering emissions through energy efficiency, optimization of asset performance, running conservation programs, etc. 

    1. Identifying avenues to implement the latest trends and technologies in facilities management

    Until very recently, facility management has been a practice without much innovation. Given that technology has an impact on not only how we work but also where we work, facility managers must develop methods to respond proactively to emerging workplace concepts such as virtual workplaces, shared workspaces, home offices, and so on. 

    Facility managers who want to excel keep up with the latest technological trends and software tools in the market which can be employed in their facilities. And they also set an example as leaders by having a thorough understanding of all these innovations, so they can effectively train members of their staff.

    This brings us to perhaps the most important role that a facility manager should focus on…

    1. People management, communication and team leadership

    Facility management is all about creating happier and healthier spaces, conducive for meaningful work and interactions between people. A facility manager’s job is about understanding and addressing the needs of all the employees, as well as the various stakeholders, end users and visitors, instead of just making the property look good on paper. It’s also imperative for them to show a strong sense of compassion and excellent managerial skills to coordinate with different departments on a daily basis. 

    Another crucial aspect of a facility manager’s job is leading their team by communicating effectively, assigning tasks based on each individual’s ability, and encouraging them to strive for growth in their career. Facility managers should take the time to conduct workforce upskilling programs to improve technical skill and environmental awareness and develop a forward-thinking mindset in the entire facilities department. 

    How can facility managers maintain the facility in top condition while keeping a firm grip on finances? 

    One of the most decisive responsibilities of a facility manager is to find cost-effective solutions to ensure that facilities run smoothly, without compromising on quality. Here are some best practices to help you cut costs and increase efficiency:

    1. Follow a proactive maintenance plan 

    Top-notch facility managers know that the cost of fixing an asset at the last minute is significantly higher than the cost to maintain its continuous operation. Many maintenance teams are using proactive approaches like preventive maintenance, and a growing number are also utilizing some level of predictive maintenance. Depending on the criticality of equipment and available funding, the decision of which maintenance method to adopt will vary. However, every maintenance strategy’s return on investment improves when it’s proactive instead of reactive.

    1. Deploy CapEx to reduce OpEx

    Facility managers can wisely dedicate capital investments for equipment upgrades, staff training and asset management technology to lower the facility’s operating costs. Some examples include:

    • Replacing aging assets with newer, more efficient ones before the end of asset lifespan
    • Upgrading to more efficient models of chillers or boilers to reduce energy consumption
    • Using asset management software to optimize asset performance, reduce maintenance costs
    • Leveraging technology to automate, digitalize and control operations remotely
    • Hiring maintenance experts or training in-house staff can help save time and money in the long run
    1. Track and measure performance with data analytics

    Thanks to sensors, IoT, and digital twin technology, facility managers can have complete visibility into all aspects of facility operations, helping them to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and plan well for the future. Plus, with an asset performance analytics application, facility managers can make data-driven decisions that have shown to deliver a strong return on investment (ROI), ultimately improving the company’s overall bottom line.

    Here’s a quick recap of all that we learnt in this article

    Be a great facilities manager today!

    Rather than reinventing the wheel, facility managers should simply focus on the fundamentals that have shown to bring consistent and lasting results. Practice the points we have mentioned in this guide to become a great facilities manager in no time!