According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), facilities management is “a profession dedicated to supporting people.”
Currently, the job title and role of facility managers are undergoing a huge transformation. Traditionally, they’re tasked with navigating various challenges that range from budgets, refurbishments, and renovations to safety standards and sustainability.
However, with the constant innovations and evolutions in property management, venue oversight, and facilities maintenance, facility managers are responsible for steering these domains in a new, tech-driven direction and must adapt to new demands and expectations.
Going beyond traditional upkeep, facility managers now also have to blend their skills in project management and time management, communication skills and problem-solving skills, and overall building maintenance strategy.
In this article, we will review the key responsibilities of a good facilities manager, explore the modern challenges they face, and delve into innovative solutions you can use to upscale your facilities management.
Are you ready to reshape the way you perceive and manage your physical properties? Let’s get started!
Core Responsibilities of Facilities Managers
Wondering what exactly is that a facilities manager does and why you need them around? Besides diving into a facilities manager job description, here are the three main pillars you need to know about their work:
Ensuring Operational Efficiency
Facilities managers serve as the architects of operational efficiency. It’s their responsibility to strategically align every element to ensure seamless day-to-day functioning, especially with regard to work orders.
From optimizing property strategy and workflows for team members to overseeing building infrastructure and reporting to stakeholders, their role is pivotal in streamlining operations, promoting productivity, and reducing unnecessary downtime.
Here are some examples of what the operations management-related facilities manager duties are:
- For example, they may implement specific technologies to streamline operational tasks while hiring external contractors for facility cleaning and grounds maintenance.
- By employing a centralized system, they can track different projects in real-time, allocate resources effectively with the right procurement methods, and forecast the need for certain equipment for tasks.
- They are often adept at strategic resource allocation. For instance, during peak operational hours, they may allocate more staff to address immediate maintenance needs, ensuring that critical tasks are addressed promptly.
Safety and Compliance
Safety is both a priority and a non-negotiable responsibility for facilities managers.
From navigating regulatory landscapes to implementing robust safety protocols, facilities managers take a great deal of responsibility for safeguarding occupants, assets, and the overall integrity of the spaces they manage.
This includes the following:
- For instance, in a healthcare facility, they stay updated on healthcare regulations to guarantee that the environment adheres to the highest standards. This proactive approach prevents regulatory issues and fines and, more importantly, contributes to a safer environment for occupants.
- Facilities managers implement robust safety protocols to mitigate risks, such as emergency response plans and conducting regular safety drills.
- They play a crucial role in maintaining the overall integrity of spaces. In a manufacturing facility, for instance, they may implement stringent safety measures for equipment operation, conduct regular inspections, and ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Asset Management and Maintenance
The responsibility of asset management and maintenance falls squarely on the shoulders of facilities managers.
From routine maintenance to strategic lifecycle management, facilities managers need to be able to maximize the value of assets they manage while minimizing disruptions and reducing downtime.
They do this using many techniques, some of which include:
- Implementing routine maintenance strategies to ensure asset health. For example, in a commercial building, they may schedule regular inspections of HVAC systems, identifying and addressing potential issues before they escalate.
- Using a forward-thinking approach like engaging in strategic lifecycle management to maximize asset value. This can help make sure you’re on track with budgetary considerations and that assets contribute optimally throughout their lifecycle.
- Minimizing disruptions during maintenance activities. For example, in a hospitality setting, they may schedule routine maintenance for guest rooms during low occupancy periods, reducing the impact on guests and maintaining a positive experience.
Embracing Technology in Facilities Management
Right now, the heartbeat of modern real estate and facilities management is how effortless technology and advanced solutions are being used to enhance overall operations.
Hovering at the forefront of technological innovation is the Sherpa Drone. This advanced aerial tool revolutionizes the traditional approaches to what facilities managers do. From cleaning large-scale exteriors to tackling hard-to-reach areas and optimizing operational efficiency, they have the potential to greatly impact business operations.
On the other hand, the Lavo Bot is an intelligent solution designed to redefine efficiency in cleaning outdoors. It’s focused on exterior spaces.
Hence, there’s no doubt that integrated technology solutions can be a huge benefit to any facilities managers’ workflows, taking their management skills to a new level.
Innovative Cleaning Solutions: Sherpa Drone and Lavo Bot
Here’s how Lucid Bot’s solutions can make a difference to your building systems and facility upkeep.
The Sherpa Drone for Exterior Cleaning
The Sherpa Drone is a game-changer in exterior maintenance tasks.
From tackling hard-to-reach areas to optimizing operational efficiency, the Sherpa Drone can help in the following ways:
- Exterior Cleaning Efficiency: The Sherpa Drone can efficiently cover large surface areas, such as building exteriors, roofs, and facades, providing a swift and comprehensive cleaning solution.
- Hard-to-Reach Areas Access: The drone’s aerial capabilities allow it to navigate intricate structures, ensuring that every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned. This is a huge plus for facilities with complex architectural features or areas where manual access is difficult and poses safety risks.
- Optimized Maintenance Planning: By conducting aerial assessments, facilities managers can identify potential issues such as structural damage, wear and tear, or equipment malfunctions.
The Lavo Bot for Interior Maintenance:
The Lavo Bot transforms mundane cleaning tasks into a streamlined and automated process, setting a new standard for interior maintenance.
- Efficient Interior Cleaning: The Lavo Bot can be deployed in spaces like seating areas, concourses, and outdoor restrooms, autonomously navigating and efficiently cleaning various surfaces.
- Automated Maintenance Tasks: Facilities managers leverage the Lavo Bot to automate routine maintenance tasks within interior spaces. This means your staff can focus on more complex and strategic maintenance tasks, improving overall operational efficiency.
- Flexible Cleaning Schedules: Whether it’s adjusting cleaning frequencies for high-traffic periods or targeting areas prone to quick wear, the Lavo Bot provides a flexible and adaptable solution to meet the dynamic cleaning requirements of different spaces within a facility.
Optimizing Facilities Management with Lucid Bots
Here are the multifaceted advantages that Lucid Bots can bring you.
Cost-Effectiveness and Time-Saving
Our advanced technologies help streamline operations, resulting in substantial cost savings and a significant reduction in time spent on routine maintenance tasks.
From optimized workflows to reduced labor requirements, Lucid Bots become the catalysts for cost-effective and time-efficient facilities management.
Enhanced Safety and Reliability
Lucid Bots contribute significantly to creating safer working environments and fostering reliable maintenance practices. Our technologies are created to mitigate risks, keeping human operators away from potentially hazardous situations.
Our reliability ensures consistent performance, making Lucid Bots indispensable assets in the pursuit of secure and dependable facilities management.
Lucid Bots is Paving the Way for Smarter Facilities Management
The Sherpa Drone and Lavo Bot are the architects of a smarter, more efficient future as they seamlessly integrate with the responsibilities of a certified facility manager.
To property and venue managers navigating the complexities of facilities management, our encouragement is clear – embrace these innovative solutions for a better, safer, and smarter approach to your cleaning and maintenance decision-making.
The benefits extend beyond efficiency; they encompass safety, reliability, and a commitment to sustainability.
Over to you—it’s time you explore the technology that is reshaping the landscape of cleaning and maintenance.
Visit our website, check out our videos in action, and envision how Lucid Bots can be your top choice among providers for a smarter and more efficient facilities management strategy.
Discover the possibilities that lie ahead with Lucid Bots!
