Datasolve, Thorn EMI’s Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex-based facilities management arm, has published what it describes as the definitive guide to facilities management: that’s a touch overstated, but FM Decision does provide a fairly comprehensive overview of issues that must be addressed if a company is contemplating taking the facilities management route; the guide suggests an eight-part checklist, starting with an analysis of business needs and and the role of information technology in that business strategy; secondly, look at resource planning and the benefits or otherwise of outsourcing; thirdly, plan a facilities management strategy and weigh up the pros and cons of the various types; establish the level of service that will be required over a given period, and clarify both current and future needs; when the tender stage is reached, decide on basic qualifications and important cultural considerations before inviting proposals; after selection, draw up a detailed contract with the supplier and plan for the hand-over, implementation and ongoing management.
