As technology improves, the facility management industry continually incorporates new innovations to make FM teams more efficient and effective. With the rise of smart buildings, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and workplace experience platforms, organizations have more options than ever for understanding the details of how their workplace operates, as well as how to maintain and improve the systems that keep it functional. 

Predictive maintenance, or the ability to anticipate potential infrastructure problems in a facility before they happen, relies on information collected by sensors and other smart-monitoring technology to mitigate issues. This stands in contrast to reactive maintenance—fixing something once it fails—which can result in unwanted spending and downtime. Although time-based preventative equipment inspections may reduce the number of problems, predictive maintenance allows leaders to solve them before they become apparent, reducing both costs and disruptions. 

The ability to collect and actionize data has been transformative for facility management. Given the consistent growth in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) over the past decade, the benefits of predictive maintenance have become clear as organizations seek to reduce or eliminate inefficiencies while also creating a better environment for workers.

Although predictive maintenance can be profoundly impactful, it’s important to first ensure a plan has been developed with an expert partner who specializes in implementing facility management strategies. For a predictive philosophy to be established, the account must first reach a baseline of performance. With a technical team in place and operations established, leaders must then invest in the right resources to collect and interpret vast amounts of data to inform how predictive maintenance is performed. 

With steady operations under way, organizations can then install sensors on systems (like electrical or HVAC) to collect data on equipment conditions through fault detection and diagnostics, observing factors like pressure, temperature, or vibration to find patterns indicating an increased risk of near-term equipment failure. Through cloud-based data analysis, information can be pulled from building systems to create models that not only identify problems and safety hazards, but also extend the life of an asset and improve its reliability. 

With inflation and the current high cost of capital a major consideration, predictive maintenance helps to minimize unnecessary investments and long-term costs. By assessing and reacting to the health of a space in real time, establishing a baseline of strong service coupled with robust predictive technology gives leaders the means to optimize their workplace and create better surroundings for their people.