In episode 143 of the Asset Champion podcast, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Jason E. Callis, CFM, SFP, LSSGB, Director of Property Operations and Facilities at Conrad Indianapolis, and current Global Board member at International Facility Management Association (IFMA). The pair cover his career and passion for creating environments where organizations and people thrive. They also discuss the value of investing in facilities and understanding the consequences of deferred maintenance. Although Callis believes artificial intelligence (AI) has a role to play in decision-making, he explains why it’s still important to understand the data. They also look at how facility managers will be influenced by the need to focus on deferred maintenance backlogs before the conversation circles back to the present for a look at how IFMA can provide valuable resources right now for FM professionals.
Agenda
- State of the facility management industry
- Current role of AI and future role of facility managers
- Different ways IFMA can help the community to prepare
- Practical advice for new and tenured facility managers
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: The role of facility management is evolving with the infusion of new technology and sustainability practices
The industry is changing thanks to new technology and a shift toward sustainability, and facility managers need to adapt to make better decisions for their facilities.
Callis emphasizes the importance of leveraging facility management best practices to establish goals and metrics around decarbonization and other sustainability initiatives. “AI will help drive the analytics and the data in a capacity that is such a speed to market opportunity for all of us.”
But people are always an important part of the overall equation, ensuring it’s accurate and reliable.
And it’s not just the tech that’s changing.
Facility managers need to focus on changing the culture and behaviors in their buildings and properties. “We have to be that thought leader around sustainability initiatives because there’s so much to do and there’s so many low-hanging fruit opportunities that we all can really grasp onto and make good decisions for things to happen that doesn’t cost any money at all.”
Takeaway 2: Facility management professionals must focus on managing deferred maintenance and supply chain issues
Callis points out potential issues with the quality of goods procured during the pandemic, and how it could affect the life cycle of components in facilities.
“I really think we have to focus on that deferred maintenance backlog that we have, but also the quality of goods that were sold to us.”
And he discusses the potential impact on the life cycle of products and components that were rapidly produced during the pandemic to meet demand, stressing the need to monitor the performance of these goods and services, as this could affect the overall deferred maintenance piece.
Takeaway 3: IFMA plays a crucial role in preparing facility management professionals for the future
Callis speaks highly of IFMA’s role in the facility management community.
“IFMA is obviously the best resource that you have from a subject matter expert perspective,” he explains, pointing to the wealth of resources available through the organization, including its knowledge library and the opportunity to network with fellow members and IFMA fellows.
In fact, Callis encourages facility management professionals to connect with IFMA.
“It’s really important for us to emphasize how important it is for people to not just be a part of it, but to be involved and give back and try to share their expertise in the field that they are a part of.”
Asset management insights
- The facility management conversation needs to shift towards what happens if we don’t invest in our facilities and increase the deferred maintenance portfolio.
- AI is a valuable tool for speeding up analytics and data processing, but the data it provides needs to be understood and verified by facility management professionals.
- The quality of goods sold during the pandemic and its impact on the life cycle of components in the built environment is a concern.
- IFMA is a valuable resource for facility management professionals, offering a knowledge library and a community of subject matter experts.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes
