Driving Sustainability in the Facility Management Sector

Natalie Craig, Chief Executive of Cushman & Wakefield in Singapore, recently engaged in a forward-looking discussion with Asia Business Outlook to share her strategies for futureproofing facilities management organizations. Emphasizing the critical need to enhance efficiency and promote sustainability, Natalie outlined the essential measures firms must adopt to remain resilient and competitive in an ever-evolving industry landscape.

 

 

Sustainability is paramount today, with governments and organizations globally setting specific targets for how built environments should respond to carbon emissions. we're enhancing the role of facility managers through technology, aiming for a profound understanding of how the built environment functions and the emissions it generates. By deploying IoT sensors to track energy consumption, waste production, and water usage, we can identify trends and address overuse. Technology takes the lead, followed by data analytics to set and achieve emission reduction targets.

 

 

This is exactly what facility management is all about at present. Currently, we have a wealth of information on how assets are being operated, and now we need to use that information, along with the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to start generating more predictive models. These models will enable us to become more efficient in maintaining assets. We need to focus on these predictive models rather than relying on fixed routines. This approach will also ensure that staff work more efficiently and perform more impactful tasks. There will be efficiency gains in terms of extending the lifespan of assets through predictive maintenance and ensuring that teams work in a more optimized manner.

 

 

The market for facilities management is very competitive. To ensure that we continue to differentiate our services and offer the best quality service to our clients, there are several different areas of focus. First is our people. Despite great advances in technology, the best quality facilities management will always need people.Therefore, it is our responsibility to provide our employees with the best working experience possible.This involves ensuring that we support our talent through engagement, career development, broad career experience, and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We need to capture a variety of ideas and perspectives from a workforce that is representative of the country and the market as a whole. Engaging people is the best way we can differentiate ourselves by having a happy, engaged, and market-leading talent base.

 

The other way is through technology. Working smarter helps us generate more insights about the built environments for our clients and use technology to optimize workflows and processes. This includes automating repetitive tasks and leveraging other digital solutions currently available in the market. Technology and talent work hand in hand to ensure the best outcomes for our clients and the built environment. 

 

 

Adapting to remote work trends is a significant challenge for facilities management, especially since hands-on asset management is often required. However, advancements in technology allow for more remote operations. At our Remote Operations Centre (ROC), we utilize sensors and building management systems to monitor asset performance across Singapore. This predictive approach means we can address issues as they arise, without always needing staff on standby on the ground.

 

To achieve this, we have integrated advanced IoT sensors and real-time data analytics into our facilities management practices. These technologies provide continuous monitoring of critical building systems such as HVAC, pump systems, security and more. For instance, sensors can detect anomalies in energy consumption or temperature variations, alerting our remote team to potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive monitoring not only enhances operational efficiency but also significantly reduces downtime and maintenance costs.

 

Moreover, our ROC is staffed with highly skilled technical experts who analyze data and make informed decisions to optimize building performance. By leveraging predictive analytics, we can forecast equipment failures and schedule maintenance at optimal times, thereby extending the lifespan of our assets and improving overall reliability. These experts can also provide specialized guidance remotely to the technicians who are responding to the issue on the ground. This approach allows us to maintain high service levels and quick response times, even in a predominantly remote work environment.

 

The ability to manage facilities remotely also provides flexibility for our clients, who can benefit from consistent, high-quality service without the need for an on-site presence. This is particularly advantageous for those with diverse portfolios, as it ensures uniform standards and streamlined operations across various locations. Additionally, remote facilities management contributes to sustainability efforts by minimizing the need for physical travel, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with on-site visits.

 

All in all, while the shift to remote work presents challenges, it also offers opportunities to innovate and enhance the efficiency of facilities management. By embracing technology and predictive maintenance, we can ensure that our operations remain resilient, adaptable, and competitive in the evolving landscape.