How do you develop a strategic plan for your FM function?

As a facility manager, you are responsible for ensuring that your organization's physical assets and work environment support its strategic goals and objectives. But how do you align your FM function with the overall vision and mission of your organization? How do you plan and prioritize your FM activities and resources to deliver value and performance? How do you communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders and customers to meet their needs and expectations? The answer is to develop a strategic plan for your FM function.

1 Define your FM purpose

The first step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to define your FM purpose. This is the statement that describes why your FM function exists, what it does, and how it contributes to the organization's success. Your FM purpose should be aligned with the organization's vision, mission, and values, and reflect the needs and expectations of your stakeholders and customers. Your FM purpose should also be clear, concise, and compelling, so that it can guide your FM decisions and actions.

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Brenda Belderol

Brenda Belderol is currently the Managing Executive at Fidelis Professional Services
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When we provided consulting services to a major county government agency, it was critical to focus on the following domains in developing a strategic plan that is aligned with the organization's vision, mission, and values: Operations-Focus, Settings and Process Management, Safe & Secure Supervision, Stakeholder and Customer-Focus, Strategic Planning, Workforce Focus, Measurement, Analysis, Knowledge Management, and Results.

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2 Assess your FM situation

The second step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to assess your FM situation. This is the process of collecting and analyzing relevant data and information about your FM function's current performance, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You can use various tools and methods to conduct a SWOT analysis, a gap analysis, a benchmarking analysis, or a stakeholder analysis, depending on your needs and resources. The purpose of assessing your FM situation is to identify the key issues and challenges that your FM function faces, and the areas where you can improve or innovate.

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Rahul Garg (MD, MBA)

Chief Growth Officer | Health Tech
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In assessing a 150-bed hospital for acquisition, I began by evaluating its physical infrastructure, ensuring that all vital systems – electrical, HVAC, and plumbing – were up to code and efficiently operational. Next, I examined the hospital's compliance records with health and safety regulations. I conducted interviews with the staff to gauge satisfaction levels and potential operational challenges. Additionally, I analyzed the facility's patient turnover, occupancy rates, and equipment lifecycle to estimate future investments. By combining these factors, I provided a comprehensive assessment, allowing for an informed acquisition decision that took into account both immediate and long-term considerations.

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3 Set your FM goals and objectives

The third step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to set your FM goals and objectives. These are the specific and measurable outcomes that you want to achieve with your FM function in the short-term and long-term. Your FM goals and objectives should be aligned with your FM purpose and your organization's strategic goals and objectives, and reflect the expectations and requirements of your stakeholders and customers. Your FM goals and objectives should also be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

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4 Develop your FM strategies and actions

The fourth step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to develop your FM strategies and actions. These are the plans and activities that you will implement to achieve your FM goals and objectives. Your FM strategies and actions should be based on your FM situation assessment, and address the key issues and challenges that you identified. Your FM strategies and actions should also be realistic, feasible, and cost-effective, and consider the available resources, capabilities, and risks.

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Rahul Garg (MD, MBA)

Chief Growth Officer | Health Tech
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Upon assessing the 150-bed hospital, the management plan to enhance operations was outlined as: 1. Upgrade critical infrastructure for efficiency. 2. Initiate continuous staff training, targeting identified gaps. 3. Rectify health and safety compliance issues. 4. Launch patient feedback mechanisms to refine care quality. 5. Prioritize replacing outdated medical equipment. 6. Strategically manage bed occupancy, balancing admissions. 7. Streamline procurement for cost-efficiency. Implementing these focused measures would elevate operational standards, ensuring increased efficiency, compliance, and patient satisfaction while effectively managing costs.

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5 Monitor and evaluate your FM performance

The fifth step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to monitor and evaluate your FM performance. This is the process of measuring and reviewing the results and impacts of your FM strategies and actions, and comparing them with your FM goals and objectives. You can use various tools and methods to collect and analyze data and feedback, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), surveys, audits, or reports. The purpose of monitoring and evaluating your FM performance is to track your progress and achievements, identify any gaps or problems, and make any necessary adjustments or improvements.

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6 Communicate and engage your FM stakeholders

The sixth and final step in developing a strategic plan for your FM function is to communicate and engage your FM stakeholders. These are the people and groups that have an interest or influence in your FM function, such as your senior management, your staff, your customers, your suppliers, or your regulators. You should communicate and engage your FM stakeholders throughout the strategic planning process, and share your FM purpose, goals, objectives, strategies, actions, and performance with them. The purpose of communicating and engaging your FM stakeholders is to build trust and rapport, gain support and buy-in, and solicit feedback and input.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you develop a strategic plan for your FM function?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Define your FM purpose

2 Assess your FM situation

3 Set your FM goals and objectives

4 Develop your FM strategies and actions

5 Monitor and evaluate your FM performance

6 Communicate and engage your FM stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

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How do you develop a strategic plan for your FM function?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your FM purpose

2 Assess your FM situation

3 Set your FM goals and objectives

4 Develop your FM strategies and actions

5 Monitor and evaluate your FM performance

6 Communicate and engage your FM stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

Rate this article

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