Facility managers are some of the most important yet often unrecognized cogs in a successful business operation. Their job is to keep facilities running smoothly, maintain safety standards, and ensure that resources are utilized effectively.
To succeed in this role, You must establish SMART goals for yourself and your team. This article will cover examples of SMART goals that facility managers can use to ensure success.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART method will enable facility managers to develop practical goals. In case you don’t know, SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
Need more clarification? Here is an explanation of each SMART criterion:
Specific
In the ever-changing world of facility management, knowing how to reach your goals can be difficult. But one thing is sure: specificity is key to maximizing your chances of success.
Specificity can help facilitate collaboration between team members by ensuring everyone is on the same page about what needs to happen. You’ll be better off by thoroughly planning your facility management goals.
Measurable
Measurable goals are a benchmark for evaluating progress and can be used to tailor upcoming objectives. Facility managers must take charge and create tangible criteria that will allow them to track their performance and those working in the managed space.
Attainable
Realistic goal setting involves understanding the resources available and considering the current conditions of the facilities you manage.
It’s easy to set lofty ambitions that are impossible to meet—in fact, this can lead to a feeling of demoralization within the staff and disorganization when expectations can’t be met.
But if your goals are framed realistically, you have a higher chance of achieving them successfully, ensuring that all aspects of facility management run smoothly and efficiently.
Relevant
Setting relevant goals can encourage you to stay energized during difficult times. When these goals are aligned with your values, they become more meaningful. Understanding your core values make staying focused throughout the journey possible.
Time-Based
Setting and following a realistic timeline makes meeting your goals an achievable reality. You will keep everything in perspective so that success is within reach. Success is never instantaneous; it’s an ongoing journey of commitment and labor.
13 SMART Goals Examples for Facility Managers
Here are 13 examples of SMART goals for facility managers:
1. Improve Energy Efficiency
“I want to complete an energy audit within the first three months of my tenure to determine where we can increase our energy efficiency. From there, I will develop and implement a plan to reduce our energy costs by 10% over the next 6 months.”
Specific: The SMART goal is explicit because it outlines the timeline for completing an energy audit and reducing costs.
Measurable: An energy audit and a 10% reduction in energy costs will be measurable.
Attainable: Reducing costs by 10% is possible, depending on the existing energy efficiency of the facility.
Relevant: Improving energy efficiency is suitable for reducing costs and environmental impact.
Time-based: The statement must be achieved within 6 months.
2. Enhance Safety Standards
“I’ll increase the safety standards in our facility by setting stricter regulations and training on topics such as ergonomics, proper fire alarm use, and emergency evacuation procedures. After three months, I’ll conduct a survey to gauge improvements in employee safety awareness and compliance.”
Specific: The goal is well-defined, specifying the improvements to be made.
Measurable: A survey can be conducted to measure progress in employee safety awareness and compliance.
Attainable: This can be accomplished by working with the safety department to develop stricter regulations and training.
Relevant: This goal is relevant to employee safety, ensuring optimal conditions for workers.
Time-based: There is a three-month timeline for accomplishing success.
3. Reduce Maintenance Costs
“I will reduce total maintenance costs by 10% over the following 7 months. I’ll implement preventative maintenance schedules, use more energy-efficient products and systems, and ensure that any contractors we use are cost-effective.”
Specific: This SMART goal details the percentage of cost reduction and how long it should take.
Measurable: You can track total maintenance costs to see if the 10% reduction has been achieved.
Attainable: Setting a 10% reduction over 7 months is realistic and achievable.
Relevant: This goal relates to reducing costs, which helps facility managers save more money.
Time-based: Completion is expected in 7 whole months.
4. Increase Space Utilization
“I plan to increase space utilization at our facility by 10% by the end of 6 months. This will involve making sure that all unused space is identified and used in the most efficient way possible, whether it’s by repurposing existing space or creating new space.”
Specific: The aim is to increase the facility’s space utilization by 10%.
Measurable: Count the square feet available and how much is used.
Attainable: This can be met if the facility manager takes the time to identify and repurpose unused space.
Relevant: Space utilization is essential for any facility manager as it increases efficiency and productivity.
Time-based: The goal should be achieved by the end of 6 months.
5. Streamline Operations
“I’ll look for ways to make our operations more efficient within two months. That may include developing a streamlined process for tasks such as facility maintenance, procurement of supplies and equipment, and any other processes that can be improved.”
Specific: You know exactly what you want to accomplish—streamlining operations.
Measurable: Identify and document which processes need improvement and any subsequent changes.
Attainable: It’s feasible to delegate tasks to the appropriate personnel and ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.
Relevant: This goal helps improve overall operations and make them more efficient.
Time-based: There is a two-month end date for reaching this particular goal.
6. Address Compliance Issues
“I want to address all fire, safety, and health compliance issues within two months. I hope to ensure our facility is current and compliant with all regulations and laws.”
Specific: The statement explains the goal and what actions need to be taken.
Measurable: You should regularly check that all compliance issues are addressed.
Attainable: The timeline should provide enough time to assess the problems, draft solutions, and implement them.
Relevant: A facility manager must address all issues related to regulations and laws.
Time-based: Two months is enough time to meet this goal.
7. Implement Automation Solutions
“By the end of 8 months, I want to implement and test at least three automation solutions for facility management tasks. This will make routine tasks more efficient, free up time for staff to focus on important decision making, and improve customer satisfaction.”
Specific: The goal is to implement and test automation solutions for facility management tasks.
Measurable: This will be evaluated by the number of automation solutions implemented and tested within 8 months.
Attainable: Automation solutions can improve facility management efficiency and simplify routine tasks.
Relevant: This will free up staff time and improve customer satisfaction.
Time-based: There is a deadline of 8 months for goal completion.
8. Foster Team Collaboration
“I will develop and host team-building events, workshops, seminars, or classes that promote collaboration between staff members. Within 6 months, I want to see more collaborative and productive energy in the workplace.”
Specific: The individual wants to create and host team-building events, workshops, seminars, or classes that foster collaboration between staff members.
Measurable: Check if you observe more collaborative and productive energy in the workplace.
Attainable: This is doable because it requires the person to take steps to create and host activities that foster collaboration.
Relevant: The goal is appropriate as it seeks to improve team dynamics and collaboration.
Time-based: The goal has a timeline of 6 months.
9. Manage Supplier Relationships
“To find better rates for our facility, I will review and evaluate current supplier relationships by the end of four months. I hope to negotiate better prices or improved services to save the facility money and time.”
Specific: The goal states the objective, what will be done to achieve it, and the deadline.
Measurable: You could measure the number of supplier relationships reviewed and evaluated.
Attainable: This goal is achievable since four months is a reasonable time to complete the task.
Relevant: Managing supplier relationships can help the facility save money and time.
Time-based: There is a four-month timeline for completing this goal.
10. Improve Employee Engagement
“My aim is to increase employee engagement by 20% over the 7 months ahead. I’ll focus on creating new opportunities for collaboration, developing strategies to boost morale, and implementing feedback loops to ensure employees feel valued.”
Specific: The goal is explicit in terms of the target and outcome.
Measurable: Employee engagement can be measured using surveys, polls, and interviews.
Attainable: This is achievable with the right strategy and effort.
Relevant: Increasing employee engagement can positively impact productivity and morale.
Time-based: The goal should be completed within 7 months.
11. Pursue Innovation Opportunities
“Within this year, I plan to investigate one new innovative facility management technology that could help us reduce costs or increase efficiency. I’m excited to explore all the possibilities and implement an effective solution that could benefit our team.”
Specific: The SMART goal is clear. The individual will investigate one new innovative facility management technology.
Measurable: Ensure you explore all the possibilities and implement an effective solution.
Attainable: This is definitely possible within the given time frame and resources.
Relevant: The statement is pertinent to reducing costs or increasing efficiency.
Time-based: This goal should be met within the year.
12. Develop Your Communication
“I want to become a better communicator in the workplace. I’ll work on my communication skills and attend workshops, seminars, and other training opportunities during the next 5 months.”
Specific: The person has identified a skill they wish to develop.
Measurable: Attending workshops, seminars, and other training opportunities will help track progress.
Attainable: With enough dedication and training, you can become a better communicator in the workplace.
Relevant: The goal is relevant to your professional development and career.
Time-based: Goal achievement is anticipated after 5 months.
13. Optimize Quality Assurance
“I’ll create a quality assurance program and have it running smoothly within 9 months. That will give me the information I need to understand where our facilities can use improvement and how we measure up against customer expectations.”
Specific: The goal outlines what needs to be done (create a quality assurance program) and when it should be achieved by (9 months).
Measurable: You can measure the progress of the quality assurance program against customer expectations.
Attainable: Creating a quality assurance program is doable if broken down into smaller achievable tasks.
Relevant: A quality assurance program will help you understand where your facilities need improvement and how you measure up against customer expectations.
Time-based: Success is expected within 9 months.
Final Thoughts
SMART goals equip facility managers with a comprehensive system to help them achieve their desired results. By following the SMART goal-setting process, facility managers can take the appropriate steps to succeed.
While there will be challenges along the way, these goals provide clarity that can be invaluable in reaching a successful outcome. So take your facility management goals to the next level using the SMART framework.
