The Technology Competency Course

Facility managers are playing an increasingly pivotal role in the development, implementation and maintenance of Information Technology (IT) systems, which are a critical part of the organization's infrastructure supporting business strategies.

Facility managers must understand technologies that support all aspects of facility operations, real estate and employee requirements. These may include, but are not limited to: CAD, CAFM, project management, asset management, cost analysis and other hardware and software systems. In addition, facility managers are increasingly challenged to establish and maintain the infrastructure and technology required to support their organizations' business goals. These may include, but are not limited to: hardware and software supporting voice, information, data and media operating systems. The facility manager must know with whom and how best to interact to successfully meet the organizational goals. This competency is influenced by (and influences) every other competency area. It addresses how the facility manager selects, acquires, implements, maintains, redeploys and disposes of technologies used within the work environment.

Learning Objectives

Part 1: Introduction to FM Technology and Strategic Planning
The first part of this course includes an overview of FM technology. Participants will utilize a comprehensive process to plan, evaluate, implement and manage technology to support core business processes, facility management operations, technical infrastructure and strategic business results. Objectives include:

• Become grounded in core FM technology concepts
• Identify key components of FM technology
• Define the current state of FM technology
• Identify the steps of the Technology Optimization Process
• Review enterprise business strategy
• Apply the components of a FM technology strategic plan

Part 2: Evaluation and Selection of Technology
Facility managers should be able to define relevant enterprise and FM work processes, and develop criteria for evaluating and selecting optimum FM systems. Objectives include:

• Use of process analysis to document core and support business processes
• Use the interview process to identify user requirements
• Understand the importance of gaining and retaining commitment
• Identify key elements to look for in CMMS/CAFM systems
• Understand FM cost analysis
• Understand how to develop a RFP

Part 3: Implementation and Administration of FM Technology
Facility Managers should able to identify key success factors of implementing a CMMS/CAFM system and develop an administrative plan to maintain the technology. Objectives include:

• Identify components of a technology implementation plan
• Identify database population steps
• Learn to avoid common implementation pitfalls
• Define system acceptance criteria
• Establish back-up and archiving protocols, and plan for disaster recover
• Plan for incorporating technology upgrades

Part 4: Application and Integration
Participants will gain the necessary skills to identify different FM information systems available and key success factors in automating FM functional activities of their choosing. Given examples of emerging technologies, participants will also evaluate alternatives for integrating FM technologies. Objectives include:

• Identify maintenance management systems
• Apply corrective, preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance measures
• Define the various building automation systems
• Set convergence and/or interoperability goals
• Describe Enterprise Resource Planning

1.5 CEUs 15 CFM Maintenance Points