Strategic facility planning recognises that every decision made in business planning has a direct impact on an organisation’s real estate assets and needs. The purpose of the SFP plan, therefore, is to develop a flexible and implementable plan based on the specific and unique considerations of the individual business.
Strategic facility planning process
The strategic facility planning process can be defined as the process by which a facility management organisation envisions its future by linking its purpose to the strategy of the overall organisation and then developing goals, objectives and action plans to achieve that future. The result of the strategic facility planning process is the strategic facility plan. A four-step process, shown in the Figure below, provides the general format to accomplish this mission (International Facility Management Association, 2009).
- Understanding: Thoroughly understand the organisation’s mission, vision, values and goals. Many organisations follow a balanced scorecard of four key measurements: financial performance; customer knowledge; internal business processes; and learning and growth.
- Analysing: Use analytical techniques, such as SWOT analysis or scenario planning, to explore the range of possible futures and the triggers used to analyse an organisation’s facility needs.
- Planning: Develop plans that meet the long-range needs of the organisation. At minimum, the SFP should be reviewed annually and further updated periodically as conditions require.
- Acting: Take actions as planned and implement the SFP. Feedback from actions taken can be incorporated into the next plan and/or project to provide continuous improvement to future SFPs. The cyclical nature of constant planning for the changing future and adopting plans along the way are normal events. These changes and updates must be managed to ensure they are achievable.
SFP Four-step Process (IFMA, 2009)
