Operations and Maintenance (O&M) are integral to facility management, ensuring the effective functioning, safety, and efficiency of facilities while supporting organizational objectives.
Key Definitions
- Operations: Focus on the management of building infrastructure to create a compliant, cost-efficient, and productive environment that aligns with organizational goals and regulatory standards.
- Maintenance: Includes scheduled activities like predictive and preventive maintenance to keep infrastructure reliable, safe, and operational throughout its lifecycle.
- Facility Management (FM): Combines people, processes, and physical assets to enhance productivity, meet organizational goals, and ensure a quality workplace environment.
Types of O&M Services
- Hard Services: Related to the physical infrastructure, such as HVAC systems, structural maintenance, and other critical building systems.
- Soft Services: Focused on occupant needs, such as cleaning, catering, and other auxiliary services.
Roles and Responsibilities of Facility Managers
Facility managers are responsible for maintaining the operational excellence of facilities while ensuring cost-efficiency and safety. Key responsibilities include:
- Operations Management:
- Understanding organizational priorities and aligning facility operations with them.
- Managing budgets, contracts, and capital projects.
- Ensuring compliance with laws, codes, and safety regulations.
- Maintenance Planning:
- Implementing predictive and preventive maintenance strategies to prevent downtime and extend asset lifespan.
- Monitoring and optimizing energy consumption and operational performance.
- Environment and Sustainability:
- Maintaining safe, healthy, and sustainable environments through recycling programs and energy-efficient practices.
- Planning for emergency response and business continuity.
- People Management:
- Hiring, training, and evaluating O&M staff for both technical and service-oriented performance.
- Acting as a consultant for facility-related matters across departments.
- Strategic Planning:
- Anticipating changes and adapting facility operations to meet evolving demands.
- Using automated systems to streamline workflows, analyze performance, and optimize resource utilization.
Balancing Objectives
Facility managers must effectively balance environmental safety, occupant needs, cost-efficiency, and strategic planning to ensure facilities operate smoothly, supporting both immediate and long-term organizational goals.
