Challenges Facing Facilities Management Departments Construction Essay

Ch on the wholeenges Facing Facilities worry Departments Construction EssayWithin the coming years Facilities Management Departments (FMD) be going to be set ab away with a subdue of ch each(prenominal)enges and they leave behind be expected to do a muss to a greater extent with so much less. These ch entirelyenges argon gener all(prenominal)y due, to the ever expanding business line sector this expansion has seen the emergence of new buildings winning place at much faster rate, than the refurbishment or demolition of other predated structures. But this is hardly the tip of the ice burger, as there ar other pertinent issues facing the FMD much(prenominal) as The rapid pace of change, changing technology, building automation, security issues, sustainability, aging buildings, geographic barriers, cultural differences and Environmental factors such as changing regulatory environments, rapid population growth and continued limitation of energy resources (IMFA 2007).So the nee d for the FMD to incorporate new technology, that holds Renew adequate to(p) life force Sources to produce energy, and dishonor the bear upon that aged buildings in particular are having on the environment is a high priority. The majority of these issues currently facing the FMD are not new, in fact they subscribe been around for a long time, only if have escalated over time, due to increased human activities.This is an exciting time to be a speediness counsel professional. Although facility management professionals will face more challenges than ever before, they have greater opportunity to add appreciate for their customers through efficient management and improved technology.(IFMA 2007)INTRODUCTIONTime present and time ult are both perhaps contained in time prospective and time future contained in time past (T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton, The Four Quartets)The aim of our FMD is to continue to provide a safe, comfortable and a wellspring hold working environment, for bot h staff and clients. By providing a full range of divine services which incorporates all of the modish technology currently available, these services are then executed by a an experience and well trained group of people who, are both loyal and committed to achieving all the goals set out by the financial sanctuary. The practice of co-ordinating the physical workplace with people and work of the organization, integrating the principles of business administration, architecture and the behavioural and engineering science (Becker 1990)There are a number of new legislations and technological advancements that have emerged over the last decade, which has caused the role of the FMD to constantly evolve, thus requiring the development of both tactical and strategic methods, so that our goals can be achieved, so that we can have continued success in this technological growth world.The FMD is presently performing a number of services throughout this multi-national financial institution, s uch as but not limited to, maintenance, energy conservation, repairs, maintenance, security, information technology (IT), renovations, jacket conversion, training, cleaning, customer services, workplace comfort, occupancy planning, business continuity planning (BCP) etc. So to properly prepare this years budget the FMD is suggesting that bootful reflection be give to the following critical service areasNew legislationsEnergy conservationCapital renewalWorkplace comfortTrainingEnergy Conservation Climate change legislationsThere is a increment concern about global warming and the lasting impact its having on humanity and the environment. Due to this crisis the global community has implemented a number of legislations geared towards the reduction of Carbon Dioxide ( carbon dioxide) emissions, two (2) of which are the Kyoto communications protocol See Appendix 1 and Copenhagen Accord See Appendix 2.Older building especially consumes a lot more energy than those that were recent ly strengthened due to this they are having a significant impact on the environment. So the need to reduce our CO2 emissions by reducing our dependency on fossil Fuels by using technology that uses Renewable Energy Sources to produce clean energy. Add a lowly moreBuildings have a significant impact on energy use and the environment. Commercial and re spotntial buildings use al well-nigh 40% of the primary energy and approximately 70% of the electricity in the joined States (EIA 2005)Capital Renewal Replacement of outdated equipment, buildings etc.This is an important process which the FMD have already begun to implement, mainly because the buildings that we presently occupy are in excess of ten (10) years old, making both the HVAC and fervour systems inefficient and obsolete. Because of this they are the two (2) of the largest consumers of energy, simply because they are both required building components and are congenital mechanisms for occupants comfort.These technological u pgrades off all outdated equipment, coupled with the installation of Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS) and galvanic meters, throughout our institutions, are all geared towards reducing our energy demands. This will enable us to reduce our CO2 emissions and conform to all Climate Change Legislations, with the eventual aim of reducing our overall electrical bills.Workplace Comfort Customer ServicesNo employers would like to be on the wrong side of the law, and because of this they are obligated to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of their all employees are adhered to under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW which states that employers shouldProviding safe equipment and working practicesEnsuring safe handling, memory and transportation of goods and substancesProviding information, training and supervisionProviding a safe place of work with safe access and resultProviding a safe working environment and facilitiesSo ensuring that all our st affs needs are met and taken care in a timely manner is of utmost importance. Due to the fact that our staff can be considered like a persons heart in that, they are a vital part of the institution and without them we will cease to exist. Add a little moreTrainingThis is an integral part of any institution given that technology changes on a daily basis, so every effort should be to extend that each member of staff is kept update with all of the latest technology. As is customary with all recessionary periods it does not last forever, so by keeping abreast of all advance technology, we will not only be gaining an advantage over all of our competitors, but also the advance familiarity needed for our continued sustenance when this period of economic down turn comes to an end. Add a little moreFuture ChallengesSo what does the future hold for us as a FMD will apart(predicate) from being constantly referred to as the Jack of All Trades? what and where we are most liking heading in th e future is best summed up by in the followingThe future workplace will give with it a number of distinct priorities. More attempts to make flexible working a reality are likely, requiring improved IT and communications infrastructures. The expansion of a 24/7 work culture will expect non-stop validate facilities, with consequent outsourcing, contract and health and safety considerations needing to be taken into account. Public Private compact (PPP) and private Finance Initiative (PFI) deals and economic pressures will push facilities professionals towards more benchmarking, more cost-benefit analysis and more performance measurement.The tightening of building regulations and particularly the introduction of Part L the manifestation of the European Unions Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is having enormous ramifications for energy efficiency and the built environment. Buildings account for an estimated 40 per cent of all world resource consumption and over 40 per cent of all waste, including greenhouse gas emissions. EPBD is designed to increase the energy efficiency of all buildings by more than 20 per cent. A key place is whether anyone will want to rent or own an F-rated building instead of an A or B one. All these developments should give facilities managers a fresh impetus to making their voices heard by senior management in the times ahead.Facilities for businesses in the future will have to be more flexible and more streamlined than ever before. Managers will need to exploit growing communication opportunities and facilitate an ever-widening range of support services. Facilities managers need to become more professional and business oriented. They must develop a performance compose that is committed to the needs of their organization. Facilities managers need a variety of skills, as all organizations are different, but all should aim to gain the attention of the board and not just be visible when roundthing goes wrong. It is one o f the most challenging professions to conquer.The key point to be made, touching on an earlier comment, is that facilities managers are indeed the stewards of the built environment. (Frank Booty)RecommendationsThe present economic humour dictates that once this recession period is over, the FMD would more than likely take a lot longer to recover, already having to survive throughout this time by implementing both tactical and strategic methods and now having to deal with budget cuts all in the same time is quite a lot for any FMD.So before any FMD budget reductions should take place, there are a number of options open for us to consider before any final decision is made on the budget, some of which areWhy dont we look at saving instead of cutting, for instance upon completion of all the capital renewal projects which are presently on stream, a major reduction would be seen throughout all off the institutions electrical bills, but for this to happen all ongoing projects needs to be completed in as timely a manner a feasible possible.Given that most of our noncore service advertise is outsourced, we should consider coming up with some sort of partnership agreement, with if not all most of our service provides so as to generate new and innovative ways of reducing our over head expenditure.So taking into consideration all of the pertinent point discussed trimming of the FMD at this time would be unwise, given that heavy fines would be imposed upon any organization / institution not conforming to the new legislations for CO2 emission reduction.Given the current economic climate we are presently facing, and having to deal with all the challenges that comes stick with an economic slowdown, and at the same time, maintaining our vision as being the premier financial choice to both our employees and prospected clients should be of concern. For this reason the following should be notedAddressing the trends presented here-through consideration, education and preparatio n-will arm facility management professionals with the obligatory tools required to face the challenges ahead.In stable conditions managers can plan with greater certainty and are able to identify significant and longer term issues for which they can easily prepare. However, in a prevailing climate of uncertainty and change, and with the need to respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances, managers need to develop approaches that enable them to foresee future challenges, envisage the impact on the organisations and communities in which they work and develop the strategies and competencies needed to retain an advantage.This is an opportunity for the FMD to utilize whatever little resources they currently have at their disposal, to provide their staff and customers with as wide a service range as possible so as to fulfill all their present needs.