In episode 144 of the Asset Champion podcast, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Jonathan C. Thomas, PE, CEM, CRL, and President at Building Maintenance Optimization Consultants, Inc. (BMOC). Thomas shares his passion for supporting facility management (FM) organizations throughout the full life cycle of their portfolios, and the two talk about how a systems approach delivers better data-driven decision-making. They then explore the different ways asset management, preventive and predictive maintenance, installation, and design data are essential to the future of the built environment.
Agenda
- Importance of a strategic approach in asset management
- Role of data in stronger decision-making
- Need for communication within an organization
- Challenges of training staff on building systems
- Advice on how to be strategic in asset management
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: Data-driven decisions and quality data are crucial for efficient asset management
Thomas starts by emphasizing the importance of having quality data in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) for effective, efficient asset management.
“The system, to me, is founded in good data, and that’s defined by a comprehensive, thorough, and accurate asset registry, good preventive maintenance procedures, life cycle modeling for you to make repair-or-replace decisions, consumable parts information, and all that goes into a CMMS.”
Good data is also important for long-term adoption. In fact, delivering reliable data helps foster faith in leadership, he explains.
“When the technicians trust the data that management is giving them, you create a better work environment because you don’t have the technical staff questioning what management is doing.”
Takeaway 2: A comprehensive asset registry is a crucial part of effective facility management
Asset registries must be accurate and comprehensive. And they must be internally consistent and scalable.
“We view the asset registry as a management system. We don’t view it as something rote. So, an accountant would look at it and say, ‘Well, I’ve got this system, it’s worth $2,000 to us, and therefore I want it in my asset registry.” That’s a little more basic than how we approach it. We would say, ‘You have this asset, and it doesn’t matter how much value it is, it has this much value to the building’s purpose and the program in the building and your staff needs to be doing this to it and you need to plan for its renewal.’”
How you name assets and equipment is as important as how you think about them, explains Thomas.
“You have to understand software and data and how and being consistent and using naming conventions that are scalable not just for today, but 15 years down the road,” he says.
Takeaway 3: Organizations need to be strategic and always evaluate their standing within the asset management strategy
Organizations need to be strategic and constantly evaluate their current position within their asset management strategy.
He advises: ” … And that means counting everything within your purview and then planning for it and prioritizing accordingly. You know, take a step back and always evaluate where you are within that strategy. I know that that sounds sort of cliche. But we’ve got to do it and just count what you got.”
On the advantages of being strategic, he adds: “And it helps make your use usage of the CMMS more efficient. It helps make your communications with your vendor more efficient. It sets expectations a lot better.”
Maintenance management insights
- Good quality data is fundamental to making sound business decisions. It is important to focus on the quality of the data and ensure its accuracy.
- When technicians trust the data that management is giving them, it creates a better work environment, and good communication reduces the risk of misunderstandings and improves efficiency.
- Consistent and scalable naming conventions are essential for efficient asset management.
It is not enough for staff to understand the technical aspects of systems. They also need to understand software and data, and how to use naming conventions that are scalable for the future.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes
