FM Solutions recognizes that a lot of our clients have developed standards and guides for their work. We strongly endorse the value of this approach. In the event that additional support in this area of standardization is required, FM Solutions is able to offer value-added services. We have been instrumental in assisting various Facility Organizations in becoming more organized, and more efficient through the use of design, equipment, furniture and maintenance standards. Industry wide it has become increasingly important for organizations to become more standardized in a variety of ways to enhance their communication, improve their leverage in long-term contracts, reduce their costs and increase their service levels. The following standardization processes have been implemented with a high degree of success by FM Solutions:
Standard Design Criteria
This standardization captures not only the products the designers should use, but also the process they are to use to maximize understanding among all involved parties. It also identifies the CAD layering standards to be used so that all in-house personnel and outside consultants are working with the same information. It further addresses as-built drawings and identifies what is critical to update (and what is not) since it is not always cost effective to document all changes in a building. It is, however, important to update all dynamic changing elements so that costs are minimized in the future. This standardization process requires an interaction with the design team members as well as maintenance, and procurement personnel.
Standard Design / Project Management/ Construction Process
This is a standardization process that focuses on work activity methods by integrating all strategic partners together to minimize the client’s costs. It is focused upon the information that all parties know and identifies what parts of the existing processes can be eliminated. This continuous improvement process takes advantage of strategic partnering from a cost and schedule perspective.
Standard Construction Specifications
This Standardization provides an opportunity for maintenance personnel to voice their opinion on what is working best in the field. It focuses around products that are consistently performing and allows for long term contracts to be developed utilizing these proven products. It typically creates an opportunity for vendors to improve their lead times. It provides specifications that the designers use, unless they can prove otherwise to the maintenance personnel that there is a better life cycle cost product. This is also very helpful for contractors, as they know what is consistently expected of them in remodels and they can prepare in advance for the projects.
Standard Maintenance Specifications and Frequency of Service
This is a process that provides an opportunity for engineers, manufacturers and maintenance personnel to develop a standard maintenance cycle for each piece of major equipment and ascertain what pieces of equipment should not be maintained. This satandardization is needed to attain the best-cost savings from an already established automated job ticketing process.