The Facility Management Mistake You’re Making Daily

A facility manager should always have their finger on the pulse of the facilities they manage. However, that doesn’t mean they should be the only one who understands the health of a facility. Employee feedback should (with discretion) be used as a complementary diagnosis since staff are on the front lines of facility operations.

1. Not Keeping Track of Maintenance

Facility management involves a lot of moving parts, and it can be easy to lose track of things. This can be particularly dangerous for facility managers who are responsible for a number of different areas, such as tracking inventory and work orders. To prevent this from happening, it’s important for facility managers to use a system that can help them keep track of everything.

One common mistake that facility managers make is not keeping track of their inventory. This can lead to mistakes, such as ordering too much of an item or running out of an important component. To avoid this, it’s important for facility managers to set up a system that can show them at a glance what they have and where it is located. This can be done by using a software program that is designed to do just that.

Another mistake that facilities managers often make is not delegating tasks. This can be a big problem, as it can lead to burnout and poor job performance. Instead, facility managers should try to divide up their tasks evenly amongst their team members. This will help ensure that everyone gets a chance to learn new skills and improve their current ones.

It’s also important for facility managers to make sure that they are keeping up with their budget. This can help them stay on top of their game and prevent them from making costly mistakes. A good way to do this is by using a facility management software program that can help them keep track of their expenses and work order requests.

It’s also important for facility managers to be aware of the different types of maintenance that need to be done. This will help them determine which maintenance is most important, and it can also be helpful if they have a checklist that they can use to remember all of the maintenance that needs to be done.

2. Not Having a Maintenance Schedule

Having a maintenance schedule is vital for effective facilities management. A schedule helps ensure that all maintenance needs are being addressed and enables facilities managers to keep track of the progress of each task. However, many facility managers neglect to include one in their plan. This can lead to shoddy maintenance and increased costs. In addition, a schedule can help facility managers improve their overall maintenance effectiveness and efficiency, one particularly useful tool being Worktrek Asset Management.

A maintenance schedule will help facility executives identify the best time to perform tasks and can also increase Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) for assets. It’s important for facility executives to regularly review their schedules and ensure that they are meeting company expectations. In addition, a maintenance schedule should be easy to read and understand. By implementing an easy-to-use facility management system, it will be easier for facility executives to track work and make informed decisions.

As a facility manager, you should have your finger on the pulse of all aspects of your business. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be the only person who knows how your facilities are performing. It’s important to listen to employee feedback and use it to identify any issues that may arise. This will allow you to correct the problem before it worsens.

It’s also a good idea to set up an inventory tracking system that will enable you to know exactly what you have at all times. This will prevent you from over or under ordering supplies and wasting money. It will also allow you to track each item’s location so that you can quickly identify when an asset needs to be replaced. By doing this, you will be able to make the most of your budget and provide a better experience for your employees and customers.

3. Not Having a Maintenance Plan

When it comes to maintaining your business’s facilities, there are many different things that can go wrong. From equipment breakdowns to faulty work orders, it is essential to have a plan in place. Without a maintenance plan, you are risking a number of mistakes that could cost your company money. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid these common facility management mistakes and ensure that your facilities run smoothly.

The first step is to have a clear system in place for recording and reviewing maintenance work. This should include where and when maintenance was done, as well as what parts were installed or replaced. This way, it will be easy to find the information you need when needed. Additionally, it is important to encourage team members to complete their records and to spot check each other’s work regularly. This will help to reduce errors and increase efficiency.

Additionally, it is important to have a plan for maintaining your inventory. This will help to prevent over and under ordering, as well as miscounting. This can lead to significant costs for your business, as well as a loss of trust in the company. One way to avoid this is by using a mobile CMMS software, like UpKeep, that can help you keep track of your inventory and eliminate waste.

Another mistake that is commonly made by facility managers is emphasizing reactive management over preventative maintenance. This can lead to higher operating costs, as you will be constantly dealing with unscheduled repairs. Additionally, focusing on reactive maintenance can lead to costly downtimes, which will negatively affect your bottom line.

The facility management industry is complex and there are a lot of moving parts. It is easy for even experienced managers to make mistakes that can have a major impact on the business’s bottom line. By avoiding these common facilities management mistakes, you can ensure that your business runs smoothly and efficiently.

4. Not Having a Safety Plan

One of the most important duties of facility managers is to ensure that a building or workplace is safe. This means not only protecting employees from injuries, but also ensuring that equipment and buildings are in good working condition to prevent fires and other emergencies. A safety plan helps to do both of these things.

Without a safety plan, a company can be exposed to legal issues and loss of business. It is important to have a plan that addresses emergency situations, such as fires or flooding. In addition, a safety plan should address how to handle these situations, as well as what steps need to be taken to keep employees safe.

It is also important to have a safety plan in place to ensure that all employees are following proper safety practices. This can be done by creating an incentive program that rewards employees who follow safe work practices. This can help to increase employee morale and ensure that all employees are practicing proper safety procedures.

A strong safety plan can also help to reduce the risk of workplace accidents, which can be expensive for any company. This can be done by implementing training programs that teach employees how to recognize hazards and respond to them. By reducing the risk of accidents, a company can save money on insurance premiums and increase productivity.

It is crucial for facility managers to have a strong safety plan in place to protect their employees and clients. This can be done by implementing training, identifying hazards, and implementing emergency procedures. In addition, a safety plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it is up-to-date and effective.

5. Not Having a Maintenance Schedule

Having a maintenance schedule is important to ensure that all areas of the facility are getting the attention they need to continue working efficiently. Not only will this keep things running smoothly, but it will also help to prevent equipment failures that can lead to expensive repairs.

A common mistake facility managers make is not implementing a maintenance schedule or using a CMMS (computerized maintenance management system). Not only does this cause missed appointments, but it can also lead to unorganized work environments that can create safety hazards and reduce productivity.

Another mistake facility managers make is not listening to their employees. While facility managers need to focus on the big picture, employees are the ones who are in the thick of things and can provide valuable feedback about how certain systems are working and what areas need improvement. This information can be used to improve processes, increase efficiency, and even save money by reducing unnecessary expenses.

Finally, another mistake that facility managers make is relying on their past experience rather than data. It is essential to always be evaluating your process and making decisions based on the evidence you have in front of you. This can be done through the use of a CMMS, which will allow you to record and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. It can also help you to determine the best maintenance strategies for your specific equipment, such as predictive, preventative, or reactive maintenance.

Being a facility manager is a challenging job, but it can be even more difficult when you aren’t armed with the right tools and knowledge. By avoiding these facility management mistakes, you can avoid costly errors and get your team back on track to success.