Facility Managers: Do You Have What it Takes to Keep Your Facility Running Smoothly?

With proper management and planning in place, any facility can be a well-oiled machine. Whether you perform maintenance in a small school or run a major ethanol plant, an efficient maintenance manager can make or break the facility. So, how can you become more efficient? More importantly, where should you get started on this transformation? Check out the facility efficiency tips below to see where you can cut down on inefficiencies.

Facility managers, do you know what it takes to keep your #facility running like a well-oiled machine? Put @RasMech’s facility efficiency tips into place for top results: Click To Tweet

1. Take advantage of pre-made checklists and, when necessary, make your own.

Here at Rasmussen Mechanical Services, we understand that your facility can be hectic. Between your crew asking questions and working on projects, it can be easy to let something slip through the cracks. You don’t want to find out that a task went uncompleted causing a system to fail. Instead, use pre-made checklists to keep from missing or forgetting tasks. Whether you’re inspecting the equipment, completing seasonal or preventative maintenance, or at your wit’s end and ready to give in and call an expert technician, we have a checklist for that. If you have additional tasks that aren’t explicitly covered, jot them down and create your own list. When the next month, quarter, or year rolls around, you’ll have an easy-to-do task list waiting for you.

2. Take the time to track your inventory.

Ensure that you have an accurate inventory of your equipment, tools, hardware, etc. Now, this may seem tedious, but a great facility manager will keep up with this inventory list. The halt of production at your facility will cost you. Instead, keep cheap and often replaced parts on hand to prevent needless break downs. By tracking your inventory, you’ll know when it is time to submit a supply order. For the big or more expensive parts, keep Rasmussen Mechanical Services on speed dial. We house a variety of for rent and for sale parts and equipment on hand to aid in getting your facility back to running order in the event of an emergency.

3. Make and stick to a schedule.

When you manage a team with many moving parts, operations can be tricky. By making a schedule and sticking to it, you’ll set the high-expectations that your team will strive to hit. Plus, when you’re able to give your crew their assigned tasks and due dates for the day, week, month, or even the quarter, they’ll feel as though you have trust in them to complete their tasks.

Professional Tip: Be sure to schedule a few extra hours into each team member’s week for if and when issues arise.

4. Check-in on your maintenance crew.

Although nobody likes to have their manager breathing down their neck, an efficient facility manager needs to check-in on their crew to ensure that tasks are going as planned. Don’t wait until the due date to find out a massive project has been put off by your team. Ensure your team knows that you are there to help set them up for success. Allow them easy access to get in touch with you when they need assistance, recommendations, or parts between check-ins.

Check out the tips in @RasMech’s latest blog to see where you can cut down on inefficiencies at your #facility: Click To Tweet

5. Keep records of your worksite.

Whether you’ve replaced filters in an HVAC system or serviced your boiler, each and every task you and your team complete should be documented. By keeping a register of the work done, you’ll be able to identify recurring issues. Plus, when you note new installs or technician services, you’ll be able to take advantage of product warranties and company guarantees.

6. Be prepared for disaster to strike

Being prepared for the day to day is one thing, but what about when the unexpected happens? Are you ready for a breakdown? One way to prevent equipment failure from turning into a major disaster is to plan ahead. By looking into rental companies and contingency piping before you have a problem, you can save valuable time. Now when a machine goes down, you will have the confidence to say you have a plan to get it back up and running in no time.

Following the facility efficiency tips above is a great start, but utilizing your single-source maintenance provider, Rasmussen Mechanical Services, when stumped or in a bind, is also a great way to remain efficient. Give us a ring at 1-800-237-2141 the next time you need mechanical advice or assistance.