Problem: The human service manager is often responsible for the operation and care of the facility used by the service he or she manages. This oversight includes regular cleaning, scheduled maintenance, improvements, and repairs. When charged with this responsibility, the human service manager is expected to be as diligent as he or she would be in program management, even though the manager often has had no training in facility management. No one expects the manager to become a "jack of all trades" and act as a professional property manager; the human service manager does, however, need to know what questions to ask and what professionals to consult.
In this module, you have explored the elements of facility management, requirements for facilities, and the varying roles of managers in facility maintenance. This discussion will give you a chance to share your experiences of facilities management and apply what you have learned to your organization (preferably your current or most recent organization).
Directions:
Please complete the following steps, responding to each question.
Your course readings list several overall objectives that a manager may have with respect to facility maintenance. Comment on how your organization's approach to maintenance compares to these objectives. (In other words, use a gap analysis to identify gaps between what the reading recommends and what your organization is actually doing to meet these objectives.)
What needs to be changed in your organization's current maintenance practices to allow you to meet the above objectives?