As the real estate sector evolves, facility management has become increasingly crucial in shaping the success of new development projects. From commercial and retail to industrial and mixed-use spaces, facility managers bring a wealth of operational expertise that can significantly impact the projects’ design, specifications, and long-term performance.
Defining specifications based on lessons learned facility management teams possess invaluable knowledge from operating and maintaining existing buildings. This hands-on experience allows them to accurately identify the specific needs and pain points of end-users, whether they are office tenants, retail customers, or industrial operators.
By closely collaborating with the project’s design and engineering teams, facility managers can translate these insights into well-defined specifications for each functional area. For example, in a mixed-use development, facility managers can provide detailed requirements for the food and beverage (F&B) outlets, such as the optimal kitchen layout, ventilation needs, and storage capacities based on lessons learned from managing similar facilities.
Similarly, in an industrial project, facility managers can recommend specifications for loading docks and warehouse racking systems that have proven effective in enhancing productivity and reducing operational costs in previous projects.
Informing material selection and system design beyond defining functional specifications, facility managers can also pivotally guide the selection of materials and building systems. Their hands-on experience allows them to identify the most durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective solutions that will perform well over the long term. For instance, facility managers may recommend using resilient flooring materials in high-traffic areas or suggest energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems that align with the project’s sustainability goals. This input helps the design team make informed decisions that optimize the balance between initial capital expenditure and ongoing operational expenses.
With expertise in dealing with vendors and OES, facilities managers may guide the engineering team in selecting crucial assets like Pumps, Elevators, etc., which have a better track record regarding lesser breakdowns, low spare part cost and availability, and OES maintenance support. This highly impacts future downtime and helps analyze the initial investment vs. life cycle cost in the long term.
Suggesting technologies such as BMS, Footfall monitor, etc., the facilities manager may guide the engineering team in developing a property that utilizes necessary sensor points to manage the operation of utilities, traffic, control lighting, and cooling. This not only helps in streamlining the operation but also assists in predicting the property’s life cycle and planning a better cost optimization in the long run.
Streamlining the transition to operations is one of the most significant contributions of facility managers in new developments is their ability to ensure a smooth transition from the construction phase to the operational phase. By actively participating in the design process, they can anticipate potential challenges and proactively address them, minimizing disruptions and ensuring the facility is ready for seamless operation from day one.
When a facility is developed with initial input from facility managers, the space allocation, entry-exit points, deployment of staffing, access, and understanding of the MEP system are very clear and laid out. This also assists in smooth handover and initial snagging (Condition Survey) of the property. This, in return, helps reduce the constructional deficiencies of any property.
Operational planning regarding tools and equipment or consumables is more efficient and cost-effective as the facility manager knows the property’s material specifications and space allocation from the development phase.
When the property’s limitations are well understood from the development phase, facilities managers can help reduce manpower (cost-effective deployment), material expenditures, and inventory management. Moreover, facility managers can leverage their expertise to develop comprehensive training programs for onboarding operations and maintenance personnel, ensuring the new facility is operated and maintained to the highest standards.
In conclusion, facility management’s role in new development projects is multifaceted and invaluable. By leveraging their operational insights and lessons learned, facility managers can help shape project design, specifications, and material selection, ultimately contributing to their long-term success and efficiency.
