How do you learn from your FM successes and failures and improve your FM goals?

Think about how your meeting went. Did you achieve the outcomes you were hoping for? If not then why not? What could you have done differently?

I consider my facility management journey as a game. Sometimes I win at it and sometimes I do lose. The real magic happens when I take a step back and understand why things went well any why it didn't. Its like watching a replay of game to understand what went wrong and how that can be avoided next time. I usually jot down my thoughts, ask for feedback. The goal behind this is to learn and grow. Hence always take a moment to reflect, learn and level up your facility game.

Before reflecting on your experience, it's crucial to clarify your role in Facilities Management (FM). Are you a provider of FM services, or are you a client? Are you a sponsor of the FM program, a stakeholder, or a contributor? Additionally, clearly define the audience that will be involved in the reflection process. Discussing success and failure can be challenging with a large, uninformed audience. Another key element is defining what success and failure look like. This should be discussed, agreed upon, and documented at the beginning of the FM program for a productive reflection process

Regular reflection on successes and failures is one of the most effective ways to learn and improve. Reflecting on past experiences can help identify what worked well and what didn't and the underlying reasons for both. This can provide insights and lessons that can be applied to future situations. Journals can provide a space to record thoughts and reflections on experiences, while feedback from others can offer different perspectives and insights. Surveys and audits can help identify areas of improvement and debriefs can allow for more in-depth discussion and analysis of experiences. To make the most of reflection, It's essential to be consistent with your reflection, making it a regular practice rather than a one-time event.

This is great in any profession, but it is crucial in facilities management. Often we have to work with difficult clients, associates, and vendors, all of whom have a different vision for what a project or task should look like. It is our job to juggle the needs of all three groups constantly, and priorities often shift between the three. It’s key to remember that not two situations are alike. It takes leaning on all your prior experience and emotional intelligence to get the job to the finish line without sacrificing the relationships with the key parties involved.

These are an opportunity to be creative but also collaborative. Gather input from the team around you to help direct and influence on how your targets can be met. You don't need to do this alone.

My old leaders used to use the 4DX model, and SMART goals are a derivative of that program. You can think of your goal as a mountain, and each step you take has to mark measurable progress towards the goal. Definable metrics are a key way to help us measure progress.

Elevating Facility Management with SMART Goals In Facility Management, learning from successes and failures is key. SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—act as a compass. They clarify expectations, track progress, and align FM goals with organizational strategies. By embracing SMART goals, you empower growth, drive efficiency, and ensure success in facility management endeavors.

I would like to do a short elaboration on the SMART principle. Specific: Define clear and precise objectives related to FM. Measurable: Establish metrics or criteria to measure progress. Achievable: Ensure that your goals are realistic and attainable within the FM context. Relevant: Align your goals with broader FM strategies and organizational objectives. Time-bound: Set specific timelines or deadlines to accomplish goals. By applying the SMART principle to FM goals, you can create a roadmap for continuous improvement, fostering a structured approach to learning and development within the FM domain.

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals in Facility Management is a powerful strategy for learning from successes and failures. It provides a structured framework to establish clear objectives, measure progress, and refine strategies. SMART goals not only guide the path towards improvement but also facilitate better evaluation and adjustment of FM practices, leading to continuous growth and enhanced performance.

Facilities management (FM) is the other face of the coin and the first face of same coin is Business Continuity (BC), and based on this our goals is Business development and fine tuning are measured based on alignment of Continuity with technologies and science of services development It is a non-stop growth and learning process, which we as FM teams need to seek and digest continuously to be able to raise the knowledge of owners and stakeholders afterwards with terms of assets/portfolio management beneficiary

FM is constantly changing, just like every industry. Coming into a situation with a “lifelong-learner” mentality will only benefit us in the long run.

In Facility Management, growth is constant. Embracing continuous improvement means always searching for ways to make things better. Whether it's borrowing ideas from others, trying new methods, or streamlining processes, the goal is to boost efficiency and value. With a mindset of continuous improvement, FM professionals pave the way for success and innovation in facility management endeavors.

Our roles are dynamic, so we must also be. Take the wins but don't rest on them. Agree dates of formal reviews of processes, along with the use of other business support services who might have the capability to give further input on best practice.

Continous monitoring performance against plans, benchmarking against peers,identification of new developments that suits your environment.

In Facility Management, learning from others is key. Embracing new ideas and feedback from peers, mentors, and experts enriches knowledge and skills. Networking, attending events, and seeking professional development opportunities foster growth and expand your FM toolkit. By tapping into collective wisdom, FM professionals enhance success and drive innovation in facility management endeavors.

Be a sponge. There are many 'right' ways to deliver the same service. Network, read and listen. Attend events and contribute to the discussion without feeling that it needs an owner

Also share your failures and successes so others can learn from it. Never ever change coffee machines without getting feedback from users! I learned this the hard way at the very start of my career.

“Be a fountain, not a drain.” Share your knowledge, experience, and expertise with those in the field. If you are a member of an industry professional association, think about a leadership role. Mentor and coach others coming up behind you. Hopefully you were guided early in your career - give that time and energy back to the industry.

Learning from the experiences of others in Facility Management is a valuable strategy for growth. Leveraging shared insights, best practices, and lessons learned from peers, industry experts, or case studies broadens perspectives, enriches knowledge, and inspires innovative solutions. Collaboration and knowledge exchange contribute significantly to refining FM goals, fostering a more informed and effective approach to facility operations.

In Facility Management, it's important to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Celebrating achievements means giving yourself a high-five or sharing your success stories with others. It boosts your mood and keeps you motivated. So, whether it's treating yourself to something nice or giving a shout-out to your team, celebrating your wins is a great way to keep moving forward in your facility management journey!

Celebrating achievements in Facility Management is pivotal. Recognizing and acknowledging successes, both big and small, not only boosts morale but also reinforces positive behaviors and practices. It fosters a culture of appreciation, motivating teams to continue their efforts, learn from accomplishments, and set higher benchmarks for future FM goals, ultimately driving sustained improvement and success.

The most important thing is to choose a celebration that feels right for you and reflects the significance of your achievement. Whether it’s a quiet moment of reflection or a grand celebration, make sure it’s something that brings you joy and satisfaction.

Keep in tune with CSR, the client, end user and society. It drives the key topics and ultimately what our building's performance should look like.

I recommend learning from successes and failures in FM as it the real hands-on experience is the cornerstone of progress. Embracing change isn’t just a choice; it's the catalyst for growth. Adapting to new insights from triumphs and setbacks empowers us to refine FM goals, innovate practices, and evolve strategies. It’s this adaptive mindset that propels us forward, shaping a more resilient, responsive, and successful future in FM.

From my experience Continuous Education: Stay updated with industry trends, best practices, and technological advancements in FM. Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to enhance your knowledge and skills, enabling you to tackle challenges more effectively.Adaptability: Be adaptable to changes in the environment, regulations, and technologies. Flexibility allows you to adjust strategies and approaches to align with evolving needs and requirements.Set SMART Goals: Ensure that your FM goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Clear objectives provide clarity and direction, making it easier to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.

1. Define Clear Objectives 2. Engage Stakeholders 3. Prioritize Goals 4. Leverage Data 5. Implement Technology (CAFM Software; IBM Maximo and a BMS at minimum) 6. Continuous Improvement 7. Communication 8. Training and Development 9. Monitor and Evaluate 10. Attitude of being proactive, data-driven, and adaptable to change.

Fracassos e Sucessos fazem parte da vida de todo profissional e em todas as profiss?es, o mais importante é o que você faz com esses aprendizados e como transforma isso em a??o. Num mundo normal, ao tra?armos novos objetivos devemos levar em considera??o esse novo aprendizado, para fazermos melhor do que antes.