Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

10Project Management

10.1 Introduction

FMs (facilities managers, or facilities management) may need to act as project managers (PMs) for a range of projects from small internal moves to major building works.

A project can be defined as a significant, non‐routine change with agreed objectives and clear start and end points, and requiring an investment decision. It needs to be planned, monitored and controlled. Typical facilities projects are minor refurbishment and repairs in buildings, relocation, major capital works or construction, and design and build.

Projects need to be planned, monitored and controlled. They are about a need, a change programme and a plan of action. Projects need sponsors, owners, partners and of course a manager!

10.2 Project management process

1. Agree precise specification for the project.
2. Plan the project – time, team, activities, resources, financials.
3. Communicate the project plan to your project team.
4. Agree and delegate project actions.
5. Manage, motivate, inform, encourage, enable the project team.
6. Check, measure, review project progress; adjust project plans and inform the project team and others.
7. Complete project, review and report on project performance, give praise and thanks to the project team.

10.3 Fundamentals of project management

The fundamentals of a project are initiation, planning and control. Projects are controlled in three main areas – time, cost and quality. A system or method to monitor these aspects of a project needs to be ...