Why Facility Management will Always be a People-centric Endeavour

Facility management has always been perceived as a service designed to manage physical infrastructure. In reality, the facility manager's role practically revolves around developing solutions to meet the requirements of people affected by those facilities. For instance, some frequently asked questions are, will this office layout improve employee performance? Which air purification system will prevent illness among employees? Is the annual maintenance plan for lift and air conditioning in place? Do employees feel safe in the office? Are they happy?

It can be safely asserted that the principal objective of facility management is to create a positive environment for people that fosters growth and development. Facility managers often customise their services to meet the requirements of the people in an organisation. Let us examine the role of facility managers in different facilities.

1. How can Facility Managers Build the Commercial Workplaces of Tomorrow?

In a commercial office building, facility management is much more than managing a physical space; it is about creating an optimum workplace experience. Because coming to the office not only involves utilising the space but also absorbing the culture of the organisation. They play a vital role in building active workplaces that bring down social walls and foster productivity, and mental and physical wellness. Facility management in a commercial building is about creating workplaces of tomorrow that allow people to find their purpose and growth.

2. Risk Management is a Priority in the Manufacturing Facility

In a manufacturing facility, one of the critical parameters facility managers focus on is risk management. For instance, exposure to radiation and hazardous chemicals is impossible to avoid in a manufacturing setup. Facility managers can implement systems to monitor and minimise this exposure and respond quickly in cases of hazardous events. If a machine breaks down or a pipe bursts, facility managers must be on their feet for repairs. In case of fire or an injured worker, the facility manager mobilises the resources quickly and initiates action.

3. Managing Workplace Safety and Productivity in a Warehouse

In warehouses, facility managers prioritize the needs and safety of people while maximising workplace efficiency and productivity. They focus on providing ergonomic workstations with appropriate lighting and temperature control. They implement safety protocols, provide proper employee training, and conduct safety inspections. Most importantly, facility managers ensure that lines of communication are open between the employees and management.

For example, In a cold storage warehouse, facility service providers develop and implement strict cleaning schedules to prevent contamination and maintain a safe and hygienic environment for products, which, in turn, helps to keep the workers safe. Since cold storage warehouses are generally used for perishable goods, equipment, such as refrigeration systems and insulation systems, require regular maintenance and temperature control to prevent sudden breakdowns that may lead to a terrible loss of products or affect human life.

4. Facilitating Information Sharing in a Data Center

Facility management services in a data center manage physical infrastructure and resources to drive information sharing. They are also responsible for designing the layout of racks, cooling systems, power distribution and cabling. By ensuring that the infrastructure is designed to support high levels of data traffic and is scalable and flexible, the facility manager can facilitate efficient and effective data management to ensure that the right people access it. They are also responsible for developing and implementing disaster recovery and business continuity plans for the data center. These plans ensure that the data center can quickly recover from unexpected disruptions, security threats or outages.