Page 22 - College Planning & Management, July/August 2018

of budgetary graphs, charts, and tables that prioritize the recommended replace- ment or maintenance costs. Worth noting; an FCI is a measure of condition relative to the reproduction cost of the facility.
The FCA reports provide yearly budget projections that are prioritized and categorized for use by the institu- tion’s facility managers. Ultimately, the FCA reports will help the institution’s management to maximize its financial investment in infrastructure and finan- cial assets, keeping budgetary priorities in line with current facility conditions and long-term budgetary goals.
The FCA assessments for the Uni- versity of Alabama also implement a site-based barcode system. Through a centralized database, staff members will be able to track any building system’s age, maintenance history, manufacturer,
capacity, replacement cost, and more, with simply a handheld mobile device. From this information, referenced from system barcodes, staff members can file work orders with perfect precision and track projects to completion.
Knowledge of asset condition and history is no longer hidden away in files or inside the heads of specific employees, but instead will exist in a central reposi- tory that can be accessed as needed. A centralized database of asset condition and cost will ultimately help maintain clear, actionable goals for facility man- agement over the long-term.
The Bottom Line
Participating in and seeking out a comprehensive and thorough evaluation is the first step in finally transforming the relationship between thought and action
into one of coherence and collaboration. Campus facilities assessments can ensure that strategic choices are made
regarding day-to-day maintenance and long-term capital planning. An updated, centralized database will improve asset management and budgeting processes for years to come.
Further, the subject college or univer- sity as a whole will benefit from a more efficient allocation of the institution’s facility asset management budget. CPM
Kyle Christiansen is vice president, Equity/Capital Planning Services, at AEI Consultants, an international consulting firm of more than 25 years that provides comprehensive services to commercial lenders, property owners, managers, ten- ants, and developers. He can be reached at kchristiansen@aeiconsultants.com.
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Taking STock of Your faciliTieS
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