As a facility manager, sometimes it can feel like you’re hit with one disaster after another. The faucets leak, then the HVAC starts to give out, and sooner or later a major piece of machinery gives out without warning. There’s a reason why facility maintenance is a full-time department. It’s an incredible balancing act — ensuring all the working parts of a facility, from basic equipment to systems of people, all work in harmony. The tendency for systems and equipment to fail is a constant threat you must prepare for if you are to keep disaster at bay.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how to survive the unexpected and face new adversity when disaster has already struck. Businesses have gone through multiple shutdowns, lagging production times, and disruptions of the supply chain at every level. If you are struggling to keep up with the demands of your facility, here are some ways to reestablish routine and get things back in order:
Analyze your organizational processes.
Is the reason you’re falling behind weakness in your organizational structure? Perhaps you don’t have communication protocols between staff and the maintenance department to address maintenance issues early. Or you don’t have a system for prioritizing work orders based on urgency and expense. These seemingly trivial details can cause major issues when maintenance emergencies actually happen.
Update your technology.
Are you relying on outdated equipment or systems to keep your facility intact? Whether it’s an outdated piece of equipment or a technologically dated work-order management system, old systems can keep you stuck in the past. By investing in new technological advancements for your facility, you can keep up with the demands of your modern industry.
Finish what you started.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in supply lines across almost all industries. This has led to backups in work orders, longer hours for employees who are able to stay, and a general increase of demand with an ever-shortening supply of labor and resources. If you’re pushing your facility to the max to keep up with demand, it may be time to consider reigning in your work orders and focusing on what’s already on your plate. You can’t easily continue operating in a facility that’s falling apart and being pushed to maximum performance every day. Reevaluate your priorities, and make a deliberate decision on what and where to cut back on productivity.
Invest in preventative maintenance.
Oftentimes it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. However, if you’re running a large facility, you need to invest in preventative care as much as you do emergency maintenance. Preventative care is the cost-savings you (hopefully) never get to see. It prevents you from spending thousands on costly emergency repairs. While it may seem like you don’t have time for preventative maintenance when you’re already behind, you should always make time for investing in your facility’s future.
MaintenX can help you get your facility back in order with our comprehensive preventative care services. We use an advanced work-order management system that makes it easy to communicate with your MaintenX team, schedule repairs or consultations, and keep track of preventative care schedules. We prioritize the needs of your facility now and in the future so you never have to worry about falling behind.
To learn more about our preventative care services, contact your local MaintenX team today!
