Benchmarking effective performance management for FM

Discussion paper

 

Throughout our discussions we discovered that benchmarking means different things to different organisations, and although there are some issues that are still to be overcome with internal benchmarking performance, the real benefits come from being able to compare buildings across the industry. 

Facilities Management (FM) is a complex issue and comparing it like for like will always be difficult. Although there are standards out there, we need to develop those standards and encourage conformity to ensure we all apply benchmarking principles in the same way. It could be argued that some of this work should have been done some time ago, but it’s good to now see a new culture of collaboration developing behind the scenes. 

To overcome this, perhaps what’s required is an emerging technology that will help to compare specifications. Some of the drivers like Building Information Modelling (BIM), will certainly have a big impact on the public sector and in time the private sector. It is thought that they can help shape the future of benchmarking as stored data becomes more ordered, and although various standards are already in place, it was thought that some kind of technology platform that helps to cut through all of the detail could support this. 

It has been shown that where good benchmarking and good performance statistics are already in use, confidence that FM is delivering and contributing to the business performance improves. This can only help to increase FM’s profile and its role in improving productivity and shareholder value.