Work order quality bar chart

Work Order Quality Bar Chart

 

This screenshot from PropertyTrak is a chart of work quality. After work order has been completed, the facility manager rates the work according to quality. This feature enables managers to assess staff work on an ongoing basis, providing data for the many staffing decisions that will occur over the course of an employee’s tenure with a company. This chart summarizes data that is also available in a detailed report.

The Future: Facility Managers on Mars?

Today’s Facility Manager continues their 20th anniversary celebration today with a backward glance from Tom Condon. With the changes of the last 20 years, the question in the heading may not be that far off.

“It’s TFM’s 20th anniversary, and a lot has changed since that first issue. The facility management (FM) world of 1988 was very different from that of today. Back then, the vast majority of people had never heard the term ‘facility manager’ (fm), and there were very few institutions offering FM degrees (the only one I am aware of is the Facility Planning and Management option launched in 1980 at Cornell University). The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) was formed in 1980 and had only 47 attendees at its first annual conference.”

Continue Reading at TFM: We’ve Come a Long Way…

Focusing mainly on technology, Condon’s points of comparison from 1988 to 2008 include:

• Computers
• The Internet
• Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Environmentalism
• CMMS and CAFM
• Video Recording
• Access Control
• Personal Communications

IFMA CEO David Brady interviewed by Today’s Facility Manager

David Brady Of IFMA Looks Back On 20 Years Of TFM
David J. Brady, president and CEO of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) shares his thoughts on two decades of facility management (FM) achievement.
By Heidi Schwartz

Go read the whole interview. In the meantime, here are some quotes from Brady’s responses:

“By looking at what has happened in the areas of sustainability, energy management, emergency preparedness, strategic facility planning, sourced services management, globalization, and technology, it’s easy to understand that this profession today is about a great deal more than operations, maintenance, and project management.”

“As long as the C-suite recognizes the importance of quality FM to the achievement of corporate or organizational strategy, this profession can do nothing more than continue to gain in importance, respect, and relevance.”

“I have never, ever experienced a profession that has the daily passion that I see in FM. These people love what they do and always take the opportunity to tell everyone they come in contact with what an uplifting and rewarding career they have.”

TFM September 2008

Applebee’s Tour: food, collaboration & fun

Before the tour, I posted photos.

Although the taps were not flowing for the tour, Pepsi products and hearty appetizers were provided.

The goal for this facility is LEED Silver.

As with the Federal Reserve Bank, the space is filled with daylight. Applebee’s focus on food is evident with a Culinary Center that is not only state of the art, but also enables chefs to create new menus. The Culinary Center facilitates collaboration by using a European design in which team members face each other.

Collaboration is a key theme with many spaces for sitting together, both inside and outdoors. There are formal conference rooms, but also many informal spaces. The cafeteria is a popular place for informal meetings. The spacious and modern booth style seating welcomes small groups. There is a range of furniture from functional tables and chairs to barrel chairs that have cupholders and swiveling tables. Enclaves — or small conference rooms — facilitate private meetings with 2 or 3 people.

The Applebee’s spirit of fun can be seen throughout. The halls have street signs (a neighborhood theme) like Main Street and Lakeview Drive. In fact, every cubicle has a street address, which makes dispatching IT and other help simpler than usual.

Options for learning about PropertyTrak facilities management software online

PropertyTrak: Demo of Facilities Management Software

Demo: 20 minute interactive demonstration
Of tenant, staff & facilities management roles.

Video: 3 minute presentation on the benefits of PropertyTrak facilities management software.

Live Personalized Walk Through: 45-60 minute conversation via WebEx. See what facilities management software can do for your facilities.

Tips for visiting IFMA’s World Workplace 2008?

The WW08 Blog has a request up for folks who have attended the show before to make recommendations to others. Any takers?

Facilities tours for IFMA’s World Workplace updated

George with IFMA has provided updated details regarding tours of facilities in Dallas.

please note these changes to the WW08 Facility Tours. We’ve added two new ones, Dallas City Hall and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas:

Thursday, Oct 16
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas ** government issued photo id required, no cameras/cell phones

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Dallas Convention Center ** Closed shoes required
Old Red Courthouse Museum
The Dallas Morning News
Fluor Headquarters (shuttle sponsored by Fluor)
Dallas City Hall ** government issued photo id required, no cameras/cell phones

Friday, Oct 17
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
American Airlines Center ** Closed shoes required

Usability slideshow

Ann at World of Usability made a slideshow on the elements of usability, including some unintentionally funny signs that make a great point.

Usability–What is it?

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

If something is unusable that means it won’t get used. So these elements of usability should be on everybody’s list when it comes to evaluating applications. The benefits of a software package are only valuable insofar as they can be adopted and used simply, and without much reading or training.

Facilities Tour: Applebee’s Tour KC IFMA Meeting Sept 16, 2008

Some great photos preview what’s in store for attendees of the September meeting of the Kansas City chapter of the International Facility Management Association.

Applebee’s East Exterior View                          (photo by Assassi)

 

Applebee’s Reflections                          (photo by Assassi)

Applebee’s Culinary Center                         (photo by Assassi)

Applebee’s Culinary Center Atrium                         (photo by Assassi)