Steps Every New Facility Manager Should Take at the Start of their Tenure

There are specific core competencies that require the most attention when a new manager takes charge. It is the ability to identify these aspects and deal with them quickly that separates a good facility manager from the rest.

FREMONT, CA: Facility management is an aspect of business that often gets overlooked. This aspect, however, is highly valuable to the functioning of the business and is in many ways responsible for the smooth functioning of the business. The roles and responsibilities of a facility manager are broad and diverse, ranging from delivering excellent quality of service to ensuring that the entire facility is in optimum condition. The discipline demands a wide range of skills. The fast-paced work style of a modern enterprise can make facility management tasks a bit too overwhelming for a new manager. Facility managers can easily overcome this challenge. There are specific core competencies that require the most attention when a new manager takes charge. It is the ability to identify these aspects and deal with them quickly that separates a good facility manager from the rest. Here are a few tips for facility managers to look into upon taking charge at a new facility.

Understand the Contract Requirements

Regardless of the size of an organization, the first thing a facility manager should focus on is getting familiar with the different kinds of contracts that exist for the facility, starting from the facility management service level agreement. It is necessary to pay close attention to the details of each contract as well as the penalties for not performing up to the expected standards. Facility managers should get accustomed to the various standards of delivery, specified key performance indicators (KPIs), and how the performance will be measured. KPIs are critical for the success of the facility management contract as it identifies fundamental requirements the client expects from the facility management service provider.

Conduct a Facility Condition Assessment

Before getting into the details of the facility management services, assess the existing condition of the premises and how all the systems are performing. Conducting thorough research on the condition of all the properties within the premises also helps to assess the lifetime of an asset. It lays the foundation for all improvement efforts and maintenance planning. A facility condition assessment should confirm the existence of an asset register. This exercise is an ideal opportunity to assess the accuracy of the existing register.