While this role can be rewarding, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.
Facility managers in highly regulated manufacturing environments are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a variety of assets, including buildings, equipment, and resources. While this role can be rewarding, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. In this article, we will explore the top 5 challenges that facility managers face in their daily work, and how new digital technologies, such as Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) can help meet the challenges.
1. Budget Constraints
One of the biggest challenges that facility managers face is budget constraints. Facility managers must balance the need to maintain and repair assets with the need to keep costs under control. Budget constraints can limit the ability of facility managers to perform necessary maintenance tasks, upgrade equipment, or hire additional staff. This can lead to a backlog of maintenance tasks and a higher risk of equipment failure, ultimately leading to increased downtime and lost productivity. A CMMS can help facility managers automatically schedule and track maintenance activities, and proactively notify facility managers when assets are due for scheduled maintenance.
2. Aging Infrastructure
Another significant challenge that facility managers face is aging infrastructure. As buildings and equipment age, they become more prone to failure and require more frequent maintenance. Older buildings may also not meet current regulatory standards, leading to compliance issues. Facility managers must balance the need to maintain aging infrastructure with the cost of repairs and upgrades, which can be a significant challenge. A CMMS that includes Facility Management capabilities can help facility managers document, track and prioritize infrastructure maintenance.
3. Staffing Issues
Facility managers also face staffing issues. Hiring, training, and retaining skilled maintenance technicians can be difficult and costly. Facility managers must ensure that their staff is adequately trained and equipped to perform maintenance tasks effectively. They must also manage staff schedules and ensure that there is enough coverage to meet maintenance needs. In some cases, facility managers may need to outsource maintenance tasks, which can be expensive. A CMMS that includes Workforce Compliance capabilities can be a key asset for facilities managers by automatically tracking workforce compliance and ensuring employees are up to date on needed certifications.
4. Regulatory Compliance
Another challenge that facility managers face is regulatory compliance. Buildings and equipment must meet regulatory standards for safety, health, and environmental compliance. Facility managers must ensure that their buildings and equipment meet these standards and that they are up to date with changing regulations. Noncompliance can lead to fines, legal issues, and damage to an organization’s reputation.
5. Technology and Automation
Lastly, facility managers must keep up with advancements in technology and automation. New technologies, such as building automation systems and CMMS software, can improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, choosing the right CMMS software is critical. Facility managers must balance the need to stay current with technology and automation with the cost of implementation.
Facility managers face a variety of challenges in their daily work. Budget constraints, aging infrastructure, staffing issues, regulatory compliance, and technology and automation are some of the most significant challenges. To overcome these challenges, facility managers must prioritize and plan effectively, balance the need for maintenance and repairs with the cost of upgrades, and stay up to date with regulatory compliance and advancements in technology. By doing so, facility managers can ensure that their organizations are operating at peak efficiency and productivity, while minimizing downtime and reducing costs.
To learn how a Facility Management system can help your organization, sign up to watch our a demo of CERDAAC Facility Cloud here.
