While lifecycle management for equipment is somewhat better understood, facility-based assets are still managed by the “squeaky-wheel”
approach. Taking the lessons learned from preventative maintenance, one is led to believe there is an optimal time to recapitalize/restore
facility-based assets. What is needed is a system to objectively determine condition of said assets, identify the optimal
recapitalization points, and create projects for assets which are at such points. In this period of shrinking budgets, this
system should also prioritize items so that the largest ROI can be obtained. Furthermore, predictive capabilities are needed
to provide consequences analysis and awareness for different management strategies taken. Implementing an Engineering Management
System can provide such a solution.
The EMS technologies were first developed for the Army to more effectively manage a growing inventory of buildings. More
than 55 percent of the real property maintenance funds for the Army were spent on maintenance and repair (M&R) of buildings
and facility assets. In order to allocate funds optimally, an organized approach needed to be developed for a structured,
objective condition rating and functionality rating procedures, component remaining service life determinations, and easily
developed short- and long-range work plans based on a sound investment strategy and prioritization criteria. Also, key components
may not be inspected adequately and deficiencies are often overlooked. The total result is that work cannot be planned,
programmed, and budgeted efficiently. The large number of buildings on installations increases the difficulty of budgeting
effectively and allocating funds to areas that most urgently need attention. In addition, it is difficult to establish effective
preventive maintenance programs, or to even set work priorities. Without objectivity in work planning, cost-effective M&R
programs cannot be sustained. Many large Fortune 500 companies are facing these very same issues which the Army has struggled
with for 30 years.
EMS consolidates a variety of building-related management issues into a single decision-support package. The systems give
functional managers and decision-makers instant access to data about their building inventory, the current condition of
individual buildings, a fact-based prediction of future condition, current and potential regulatory compliance issues, and
so on. Users are able to develop multi-year M&R strategies and plans based on site-specific information and imposed budget
constraints. M&R costs will be saved and quality of life will be enhanced for building occupants. An EMS enhances the role
of the facility manager by providing new, sophisticated analysis procedures that were not previously possible. Additionally,
an EMS can reduce the on-going cost for facility inspection though "knowledge-based" inspection planning which considers
both inspection frequency and level of detail.