The Anatomy of a Productive Facilities Management Technician
Productive technicians are made, not born. With a bit of guidance, you can provide your technician with the anatomy needed to be highly engaged and effective. The following basics will provide a framework in which you can further customize your technician to meet your business needs.
1. Define Productivity
The productive facilities management technician knows what must be done, in order to be deemed as such. Not every technician is going to have the same role. These roles must be clearly defined so that your technicians know their goals and what is expected of them. Within the different roles awarded to each technician, there might be tasks that need to be prioritized in order to ensure maximized productivity. Open communication leads to clearly defined goals, setting each individual up for success.
2. Utilize Technology
Holding technicians accountable for attaining goals outlined within their respective roles is best accomplished by using today’s technology. Facility Management software modules such as facility maintenance, for example, allows for the streamlined management of these employees and their goals by management. Requiring technicians to log materials and man-hours as well as the outcome of each assignment helps to increase productivity by making it obvious if it is indeed lacking.
3. Provide Adequate Tools
A productive technician has access to the proper tools in order to complete the job. Providing the necessary tools in a streamlined, easy-to-use interface helps ensure not only that the tools are used, but keeps each individual on the same page. Real-time information alerts technicians to when their services are needed and keeps everyone updated regarding questions, as well as the service status.
4. Provide the Proper Training
Whether a technician comes to a job with years of experience or is new to their chosen field, they need to be properly trained on the protocols and expectations of your company. Providing this training will ensure that the technician is set up with the facility mangement skills and knowledge required to be a productive part of your organization.
5. Go Mobile
The best use of technology is its ability to keep technicians working productively, whether they are in the field or in the office. Outfitting each technician with a mobile device and access to the same FM software that is used in the office allows them to instantly access all the information they need, even while they are out on the road. For example, they can provide you with the status reports you need to plan other aspects of a larger project without ever needing to meet with you face-to-face. FMs need to access other tools to effectively manage their team. Thankfully, there are now numerous business apps available to make the facilities manager’s job more streamlined and effective.
Incorporate the previous points in the crafting of your own, company-specific, productive technician. Doing so will also help increase the overall productivity of your company. Each member of your team should have as much specialized training and tools as possible to maximize their potential. Then, you will see your team firing on all cylinders.
Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in September 2014 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.
