An important part of building maintenance is creating a strategy to mitigate as many issues as you can ahead of time, protecting your budget, keeping employees on task, and avoiding work interruption. Get ahead of potential issues with regular attention, data management, and processes that make sense for your business.

Stay consistent

Create a regular maintenance schedule to stay on top of the condition of your equipment, perform timely repairs and replacement, and budget efficiently for upcoming expenses. Plan for maintenance that requires weekly, monthly, and daily attention to stay aware of the condition of the equipment and potential issues as they begin to arise. As an example, routine maintenance may involve cleaning and servicing machinery, or replacing broken or inoperative building components before they fail, whereas seasonal maintenance could mean implementing an equipment refurbishment program.

Plan ahead

Once you have a schedule set, making sure that the procedures are followed is vital to your maintenance plan’s success. Part of your approach should include creating SOPs (standard operating procedures) with specific instructions on how your team should perform maintenance tasks. 55 per cent of employees say they need training in order to improve, so make training part of your proactive approach. Ensure that all staff are properly educated on your procedures to maintain an effective and efficient schedule.

Invest in technology

Be open to refining your process, and adjusting your schedules and practices based on the data available to you. Consider installing technology like sensors to better gauge equipment lifespan and for real-time equipment assessments and notifications. AI is also helping companies manage their maintenance with predictive capabilities that help with budgeting and cutting down on unexpected shutdowns due to equipment failure. AI can also help with training simulations, repair options, and more to help refine your plan. Technology adoption can be expensive in the short term but consider the benefits to your business over time.

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Protecting your business and your building is no small feat, but you can minimize disruption, lengthen the lifespan of your equipment, and better plan for upcoming expenditures with a proactive approach to maintenance.