Here's how you can integrate data-driven decision making into your strategic thinking.

1 Understand Data

To begin with, you need to understand the types of data relevant to FM and how they can inform your decisions. Operational data might include energy usage, space utilization, and maintenance records, while financial data covers costs and returns on investment. It's crucial to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your strategic objectives. Understanding data also involves recognizing its limitations and ensuring its quality. Clean, accurate, and timely data is the foundation of sound decision making, so developing a system for data collection and analysis is an essential first step.

2 Analyze Trends

Once you have reliable data, the next step is to analyze it for trends and patterns that could inform your strategic decisions. Look for correlations between different types of data, such as how changes in space utilization might affect energy costs. Data analysis tools can help you visualize these trends, making it easier to understand complex information. By identifying these patterns, you can predict future needs and challenges, allowing you to proactively adjust your strategy rather than simply reacting to issues as they arise.

3 Make Predictions

Predictive analytics is a game-changer in FM, enabling you to forecast future events based on historical data. This could involve predicting when equipment will fail or identifying the optimal time for preventative maintenance. By using data to make predictions, you can plan more effectively and allocate resources where they are most needed. This proactive approach not only saves time and money but also increases the lifespan of your facilities and improves satisfaction among the users.

4 Inform Decisions

Data should be the backbone of every strategic decision in FM. When faced with multiple options, use data to evaluate the potential outcomes of each choice. This might mean conducting cost-benefit analyses or simulating different scenarios to see which aligns best with your strategic goals. By basing your decisions on data, you can justify your choices with confidence and demonstrate the value of your FM strategy to stakeholders.

5 Foster Collaboration

Data-driven decision making should not occur in a silo. It's important to foster collaboration among team members and departments to ensure that data insights are shared and integrated into the broader strategic vision. Encourage open communication and provide training on how to interpret and use data effectively. When everyone understands the importance of data and how to leverage it, your FM strategy becomes a cohesive force driving your organization toward its goals.

6 Evolve Continuously

The final step is to establish a culture of continuous improvement in your FM strategy. As new data becomes available and your understanding of it deepens, be prepared to adapt your strategy accordingly. This might involve updating your KPIs, refining your data collection methods, or investing in new technologies to enhance data analysis. The goal is to create a dynamic FM strategy that evolves with the changing needs of your facilities and the insights gained from your data.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?