Facility managers have access to vast amounts of data, but the quality of this data can vary widely. Data serves as the backbone of facility management processes and influences decision-making at every level in an organization.
Criticality of good data impacts various factors, such as validation that the facilities are being well-managed, equipment failures, determining future funding needs, compliance with regulations and standards, and mitigating health and safety risks.
Establishing practical solutions for improving the quality of data starts at the outset. This encompasses how the data is collected in a standardized manner, when the data is collected, how the data is being used, and how the data is maintained and updated. Automating data consumption from business applications and consolidation processes streamlines operations, enabling faster decision-making and response times.
Good data can make a significant difference, from better customer service and improved work order responses to better use of work space occupancy levels. Establishing standard operating procedures is essential for good data management to ensure where the data can be found and how the data is collected, validated and entered into a database for ongoing usage.
There are many types of data that should be categorized and defined to help understand usage and benefits, which will impact the quality and credibility of the data. Many organizations omit the necessity to provide training and learning, assuming facility managers have this knowledge, education and expertise.
Usage is based on the value and quality of the data to the organization. With the introduction of big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), facility managers are able to access their data sources, providing an even more detailed understanding of the operation of their facilities. As AI evolves, its integration with good data enhances insights and predictive analytics, fostering continuous improvement in facility management.
Initiatives like OpenAI strive for AI accessibility and promise a future rich with optimization opportunities. In this intricate landscape, data quality becomes pivotal, shaping operational efficiency. Prioritizing data management and enhancing quality unlocks valuable insights, driving informed decision-making and optimizing facility performance.
Data plays a crucial role in facility management, offering valuable insights to optimize facility performance, improve operations, enhance asset management, and reduce costs.
Improving facility data helps plan strategically, make informed data-backed decisions, streamline processes, generate in-depth data to help optimize and reduce time to repair assets, ease administration work, reduce unpredictable costs and drive sustainable business practices. When it comes to facility management, the question isn’t just, “how much data do you have?” but rather, “how good is your data?”
Marcia O’Connor is president of AM FM Consulting Group. She is a strategic-minded leader with more than 20-plus years of progressive experience in corporate real estate, asset management, and integrated facilities management. Marcia has a passion for mentoring young professionals and helping people, teams, and organizations see their potential. She is the lead instructor for the University of Toronto School of Continued Studies’ facilities management courses, including the FM Certification Program and many others.
