How do you know if you are managing your facilities and integrating new-build projects as well as everyone else ?

Most organisations don't know. And even if the facility managers or the estates office suspect that something is not up to scratch, they usually have no tool or even proof to convince those with budget control that something needs to be done. This is a problem, and with so much new development on campuses around the region, if the facilities of the future are to be managed cost-effectively and purposefully, we need to fix the problem urgently.

RFP Magazine is currently working together with the Sloane Partnership and Synergis to gauge how educational and institutional facilities are managed, designed and how estates and facilities offices integrate new projects into existing management programmes.

We have already trailed the survey on three educational institutions in Hong Kong, through which they have been able to:

• Identify areas in which they are strong or weak

• Establish how they compare to the market

• Target problem areas

• Measure improvement

People who go through the simple, brief and accurate process are given results matrices and charts clear enough to be understood by anyone within the organisation, allowing officers to:
•  Present results to senior management and finance controllers as part of a business case for more resources for a specific project.

• Show to facility management service providers and other suppliers as part of the contract selection process to highlight areas for improvement.

• Use as a goal for future improvements

• Give to external architects and suppliers

• Develop standards and guidelines

• Motivate members of the team.