Facilities Management and the Business of Managing Assets

Book excerpt: The importance of facilities management to the effective operation of all businesses is now widely accepted. Where there continues to be debate is on what constitutes a successful approach, and how much attention it should be given within an overall business plan. Drawing on both research and current practice, this book provides a systematic, innovative, and business-focused approach to the management of facilities assets. The reader will discover why and how to use facility assets to achieve business goals and strategies by aligning them as a resource. Striking a balance between management and technical aspects, the book covers: the basics of facilities asset management and the key elements of a systematic management approach the key supporting capabilities for facilities management as a business function a framework for considering strategic alignment of facilities assets and associated services with business needs the role of life-cycle asset management and its contribution to business resource management. The message of this book and the benefits it can bring to businesses everywhere make it essential reading for executives as well as facilities managers. Its detailed explanations of all of the key concepts involved, and lists of recommended further reading also make it an excellent resource for those new to the industry, and for students of property or facilities management.