Whether facility managers outsource services or have an in-house team, it is important to track performance. That is the only way to be able to improve service, as well as effectively monitor an asset’s lifespan. Fortunately for busy facility managers, it is getting easier than ever to track data with affordable tools. From simple Microsoft Office documents to CMMS to Internet of Things technology, there are plenty of options to choose from.
At NFMT Baltimore in March, Robert Lambe, president of Facility Issues, will help facility managers get started with metrics in his session "Track Your Facility and Service Performance." Lambe will cover how to identify which performance criteria matter and how to define useful metrics for this selected criteria. He will also discuss issues facility managers should consider when setting up the performance tracking system.
NFMT: Why is it important to track your operations?
Robert Lambe: There are all kinds of cliche's about why to measure, but the point is that you have to track your performance in order to see how well you are doing with respect to your goals. So, it all depends upon your core organizational goals and objectives.
NFMT: What metrics and data is most useful? Are there tasks that facility managers should start with?
Lambe: The metrics that are the most important are those that align with your key business objectives. The data that is most useful is that which supports those metrics.
NFMT: How long does it take before facility managers gather enough actionable data?
Lambe: Operational data can be actionable immediately because it is mostly status or task oriented (equipment temperature or work order). Planning and management data ranges in how quickly it is actionable based on the type of decision it is used for (equipment life span for capital planning, trends for needs assessment, etc.)
NFMT: Often the hardest part is just taking the leap and getting started. Any advice for facility managers to help them get started with tracking?
Lambe: The easiest way to start is with an inventory of your currently available data (in your various systems) and an outline of your organization’s/department’s objectives. Compare these and start with areas where you already have decent data for defined objectives (it does not need to be perfect). Then you can plan for how to get data you need and do not have, improve data quality, and assess the value of any other data you have.
NFMT Baltimore takes place March 21-23. Visit www.nftm.com to register.
Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief for the facility market. He has 20 years of experience covering the facility management and commercial cleaning industries.
