CFaR Current Project Abstracts

Exploring the Feasibility of a More Flexible, Dynamic, and “Living” Master Planning Model

[CFaR043-23]
Principal Investigator:
Cameron Christensen, CEFP, FMP
Director of Asset Management
Princeton University
with co-investigator:
Jason Wang, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Physical Plant Management
California State University Northridge

Research Team:
Marion Bracy, Vice President of Facilities & Real Estate Management, Dillard University
Nicole Friend, Director of Campus Planning, Steinberg Hart Architects
Rob Quirk, President of RJ Quirk FMC & former Director of Facilities, Cal State Long Beach
Dana K. “Deke” Smith, Partner, DKS Information Consulting
Jim Whittaker, Global Product Owner for Engineering Services, JLL

The researchers propose that the current model of the static decennial master planning process is outdated and, with the advent of IT technology, the need for continuous master planning should be reconsidered. The rapid accelerated evolution in technology, career mobility, educational pedagogy, and other factors contribute to the challenges in remaining “on plan” years after the master plan was adopted.

Is there a world in which master planning, like condition assessments, can evolve from the quinquennial or decennial exercise that has become the standard and become more like an integrated life-cycle planning process; a living process that is renewed and refreshed continually as part of the operations of the organization that never sunsets, never expires, and never approaches that evaluative horizon?

The researchers expect to confirm the hypothesis that a dynamic and “living” master planning process is possible. The key deliverable of this project will be a document detailing the findings and recommendations of the group for an integrated living master planning. The precise document has not yet been determined but will be dictated by the findings of the research. However, it is anticipated that the research will yield the ability to produce some sort of guideline, standard, or framework for living master planning for others to adopt.

Data Utilization Practices in Decision Making Among Facilities Professionals at Public Four-Year Higher Education Institutions

[CFaR042-23]
Principal Investigator:
Gig Supanichrattana, doctoral candidate
Facilities Information Administrator
Illinois State University

This study recognizes APPA’s Body of Knowledge (BOK) as the fundamental framework to identify core functional areas within educational facilities organizations. The findings from this research will provide a holistic view of data utilization in higher education facilities and insights into practical applications that can benefit facilities professionals. If you are a facilities professional at a four-year college or university, click here to participate in this project’s survey.

University Capital Project Strategic Intent

[CFaR041-22]
Principal Investigator:
Ian Wagschal
Director of Facilities
University of King’s College
with academic mentor:
Kenn Sullivan, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Arizona State University

Universities undertake capital projects to advance their institutional mission and strategy. This is the strategic intent of the project. Capital projects also pose significant risks. Projects can exceed their budgets, and be delivered late. Faculty, students, administrators, and board members can become dissatisfied with the project, creating political risks. These risks can cause serious disruption to university operations and finances, as well as damage the reputation of the university and the project team. The problem that there is little research investigating how strategic intent is a factor affecting the success of project delivery.

Question #1 (current): Does a focus on strategic intent positively impact university capital project delivery?
Question #2: Are there specific factors around the focus on strategic intent that impact success more than others?
Question #3: What risk tool would leverage the most import factors of strategic intent?

Planned Preventive Maintenance – Decision Support System

[CFaR040-19]
Principal Investigator:
Theodore J. Weidner, Ph.D., P.E., AIA, DBIA, CEFP, APPA Fellow
Professor of Engineering Practice
Division of Construction Engineering & Management
Purdue University
with:
Soojin Yoon, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Construction Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University

Preventive maintenance is an important and yet little-studied area of facility engineering. It is unclear if preventive maintenance does what the name suggests (prevent future maintenance) or whether it is just a way to keep maintenance employees busy. It is necessary to analyze data from facility maintenance records to determine the efficacy of preventive maintenance and to determine if there is benefit either through reduced annual costs, increased component/system life, or a combination of the two. Utilizing the data from higher education facility maintenance organizations may provide an answer.
Click here to participate in the research.

Custodian Impact on Student Success

[CFaR039-18]
Principal Investigator:
Steven D. Gilsdorf, CEFP
Senior Director, Facilities Operations and Maintenance
Wayne State University

The role of custodial personnel is often overlooked and undervalued in the equation for student success. This study will identify behaviors of custodial personnel that have a potential positive impact on student success, and ask the question, “What role behaviors are presented by custodial personnel that impact student success in university settings?” The study will identify additional areas where FM organizations can provide important and relevant support toward student success.

Multi Criteria Decision-Making Models for Repair and Replacement Decisions of Condition-Based Building Maintenance

[CFaR038-18]
Principal Investigator:
Deniz Besiktepe, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Polytechnic Institute School of Construction Management Technology
Purdue University

Aging and rising building stock have critical importance on a country’s economic and social well-being. For institutional organizations, particularly those with large building portfolios, an effective facility management approach is required to ensure these buildings function properly for their missions. The main purpose of this study is to generate a decision-making model for the effective repair and replacement decisions for building maintenance. The research will also identify the benefits of repair vs. replacement decisions with the proposed condition assessment support framework and MCDM compared to decisions given without model. Even though cost and budget are typically considered as the main factors in the decision-making process of building maintenance, concerns such as health and safety threats, loss of use, and lower performance will be emphasized as other significant factors in the decision-making process.

Measuring the Current Practices of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Principles Used in the Procurement of Flooring in Higher Education

[CFaR036-17]
Principal Investigators:
Theodore J. Weidner, Ph.D., P.E., AIA, DBIA, CEFP, APPA Fellow
Professor of Engineering Practice
Division of Construction Engineering & Management
Purdue University
Jonathan Stanley
Director of Education and Government Strategies for North America
Tarkett
With early contributions from Jeffrey L. Campbell, Ph.D.
Brigham Young University, retired

The purpose of this research is to measure and understand how TCO principles are and are not being used in the procurement of flooring in higher education. By measuring the current practices of TCO principles used in the procurement of flooring in higher education, APPA and other stakeholders will better understand:

• what the most important variables there are in the flooring purchasing decision
• if TCO principles are actually impacting the long-term ROI (return-on-investment) for one variable (flooring) in colleges and universities
• what the current level of TCO knowledge is understood in the procurement of flooring
• what the current level of actual TCO application is being practiced in the procurement of flooring
• what enablers and inhibiters there are in gaining TCO knowledge and actual application.

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