Aligning FM Strategic Requirements with Demand Organization’s Goals: A Comprehensive Approach

 Introduction:

Facility Management (FM) plays a pivotal role in organizations, and its strategic alignment with the goals of the demand organization is crucial for success. This article explores the intricacies of aligning FM strategic requirements with the demands of the overarching organization. The journey involves understanding the mission and vision, considering various inputs, and utilizing tools like the balanced scorecard. 

 Understanding Phase: Navigating Mission and Vision Alignment

 Defining FM Mission and Vision: 

Aligning FM strategy begins with a profound understanding of the demand organization’s mission, vision, values, and culture. Inputs from these elements serve as the foundation for the FM mission and vision. The process involves a collaborative approach, utilizing both top-down and bottom-up strategies to ensure comprehensive involvement. The output, FM mission and vision statements, encapsulates the purpose and direction of the FM organization.

 Examples of FM Vision Statements:

- To be a world-class FM organization by creating intrinsic rewards for staff and a satisfying workplace environment for the demand organization.

- To be viewed as a highly successful provider of facility best practices and sustainer of the workplace environment.

 Examples of FM Mission Statements:

- It is the FM organization’s mission to build relationships and solve problems as partners with customers, staff, contractors, suppliers, and the community.

- It is the FM organization’s mission to be a partner to customers who share confidence in the FM organization’s abilities and commitment to providing solutions that leverage technology and maximize the capabilities of the workplace environment and infrastructure.

 Inputs Related to Aligning Strategy: A Holistic Approach

 Demand Organization's Strategic Business Plan: 

Understanding the demand organization's strategic business plan is pivotal for FM strategy alignment. This plan provides insights into the current position, competitors, business model, projects, and strategic objectives. FM managers scrutinize each requirement, deriving actionable insights for FM strategy.

Business Units' Strategic Plans: 

Recognizing the unique goals of each business unit is indispensable for FM organizations serving multiple units. Insights into reorganization, space configuration, leadership changes, budget priorities, and compliance ensure a holistic approach to FM strategy alignment.

Facilities Register/Portfolios and Audits: 

Leveraging facilities registers/portfolios and conducting facilities audits offer comprehensive information on facility assets. This includes ownership data, purpose, financial details, condition, and maintenance schedules. This knowledge helps identify gaps between intended and actual functions, guiding strategic decisions.

 Demand Organization's Balanced Scorecard: 

The organization’s balanced scorecard, covering financial, customer, internal business process, and innovation/learning perspectives, is a key input. It guides the alignment process by providing measurable goals, enabling a holistic analysis of short-term and long-term objectives.

Conclusion: Elevating FM as a Strategic Enabler

In conclusion, the alignment of FM strategic requirements with demand organization goals is a multifaceted process that goes beyond mission and vision alignment. It involves leveraging diverse information sources, understanding business units' goals, and utilizing tools like the balanced scorecard. This alignment not only ensures transparent support for demand organization requirements but also positions the FM organization as a valuable enabler rather than a mere expense. Embracing this holistic approach is paramount for sustained success in today’s dynamic business landscape.