5 Main Functions of Facilities Management

Each organization comprises various functions and services that are needed to support core business operations. The functions of facilities management, in essence, ensures that this support is available at the right time, in the right form, and at the right cost. 

Facility managers are responsible for overseeing various activities that keep a business up and running. One of the most important functions of facilities management is to ensure that the working environment is safe and accommodating for the workforce members. In addition, a facility manager’s job responsibilities include a wide array of functions, which can vary depending on the type of organization and industry in which the organization is operating. 

To truly understand the roles and responsibilities of facility managers, we need to break down the scope of their work. This means taking a closer look at the main functions of facilities management.

People Management

As I have already mentioned, the core objective of facilities management is to create a comfortable and accommodating working environment within a facility. This involves managing the people working within the organization and serving various functions, such as creating a positive organizational culture, attracting and retaining up and coming talent, and improving productivity and efficiency within the workplace. Therefore, in addition to people management skills, good leadership skills are also essential. Besides people management, here are a few ways facility managers provide support in an organization:

• Coordination of desk arrangements
• Developing proper emergency plans and procedures
• Workload management
• Stress, grievance, and disciplinary procedures
• Facilitating movement and utilization of space

Facilities management is basically the bridge between employees and the workplace. Whenever there is an issue of accommodation, safety, or comfort, it is up to the facility manager to remedy the issue.

Improvement and Maintenance of Facilities

This is one of the main areas where the functions of facilities management extend. This includes the maintenance of physical buildings, assets, and equipment. Besides tending facilities, it also involves cultivating partnerships and future planning. Here a few more job responsibilities of facility managers:

• Building improvements, routine maintenance, and repair.
• Heating and cooling
• Facilities cleaning and maintenance
• On and off-site property management

Anything that involves physical buildings falls within the realm of facilities management. Facility managers have to reduce facilities-related costs and turn the facility itself into a competitive advantage. 

Simplifying processes

Simplified work processes and procedures can significantly reduce costs. It brings order to the workplace and creates a system of expectations that positively impacts the way people utilize the workplace. Here are some functions of facilities management that should be simplified:

• Work order requests
• Reservation of office spaces
• Planning for emergency procedures
• Managing guests and visitors
• Directory management

Simplifying processes enhances efficiency and makes it easier to adapt as your organization grows and evolves.

Health and Safety Management

It goes without saying that facility management is all about managing the health and safety of the workforce members through appropriate building management, emergency management, and detailed inspection of facilities. It is the key to running a successful department. Various regulations govern health and safety in the workplace, and one of the main functions of facilities management is to ensure compliance with these regulatory standards. Failure to comply can result in fines, loss of staff and customers, bad publicity, and in the worst case, imprisonment.

Integrate Technology and Functions of Facilities Management

Managing facilities maintenance activities manually or with paper-based systems is a thing of the past. The advent of robust cloud-based facility management software applications like CloudApper’s Facility Manager has changed the way facility managers operate. With Facility Manager, employees can easily access work instructions, task checklists, and important files – all with their mobile devices. Administrators can streamline training sessions, delegate tasks, and monitor all operations that are being conducted across the facilities from anywhere and anytime.

No hidden charge, no hidden costs, use the Facility Manager with just $10/month. To learn more, please get in touch with CloudApper today or leave a comment below.