The 7 C’s of Strategic Thinking for Facility Managers

Wednesday, May 25th, 2022

All too often, Facility Managers find themselves bogged down in the day-to-day details of their job, with little time left over to take a step back and actually be strategic about their work.

Yet, being strategic is crucial to the success of any Facility Manager. After all, you are responsible for the management of your facility – which means that you need to be able to think ahead, identify potential problems, and put plans in place to prevent them from happening.

What is strategic thinking for Facility Management?

Strategic thinking is a process that helps you make decisions about the future of your facility. It involves looking at the big picture and understanding how your facility fits into the larger organization. Facility Managers who are good at strategic thinking are able to see the potential consequences of their decisions and plan accordingly. They are also the ones who are able to adapt quickly when changes occur.

There are a few key things that all good strategic thinkers do. We’ve compiled them into what we call the 7 Cs of Strategic Thinking for Facility Managers. If you can master these 7 Cs, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a strategic thinker yourself!

What are the 7 Cs of Strategic Thinking for Facility Managers?

Context

The first step in strategic thinking is to understand the context in which your facility operates. That means taking a close look at the organization as a whole and understanding its mission, values, and goals. It also means considering the external environment and how it may impact your facility’s operations. As a strategic thinker, you should always be aware of the larger picture and how your facility fits into it.

Creativity

The ability to come up with new and innovative solutions is a key component of strategic thinking. When faced with a problem, good strategic thinkers are able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. They are also open to new ideas and willing to try new things. Rather than being stuck in a rut, they are always looking for ways to improve.

Critical Thinking

Another important component of strategic thinking is critical thinking. This involves taking a step back and evaluating your options in a logical and objective way. When making decisions, good strategic thinkers ask themselves tough questions and consider all sides of the issue. They also know how to spot problems and find creative solutions.

Communication

A big part of having a strategic mindset is being able to communicate effectively. This means being able to share your vision with others, and being open to feedback. It also means being able to listen to others and understand their point of view. As a strategic thinker, you should be able to clearly articulate your ideas and explain your decisions to others.

Collaboration

Good strategic thinkers know that they can’t do it all alone. They are willing to work with others and solicit input from a variety of sources. They understand that collaboration is essential to finding the best solutions. When working on a project, they take the time to build relationships and develop a team that can help them achieve their goals. Good strategic thinkers know how to build consensus and get buy-in from others. They are also willing to compromise when necessary. Rather than going it alone, they know the importance of working together towards a common goal. Facility Management is a team sport, and the best strategic thinkers know how to play it.

Commitment

In order to think strategically, Facility Managers need to be committed to their facility and its success. They need to be willing to put in the time and effort required to make strategic decisions while continuously looking for ways to improve. Good strategic thinkers are also able to make tough decisions and stick with them, even when it’s not the popular choice. They are also constantly learning and keeping up with industry trends.

Continuous improvement

The final C in our list is continuous improvement. Good strategic thinkers are always looking for ways to improve their facilities. They are constantly evaluating their operations and looking for ways to make things better. They also know how to learn from their mistakes and use that knowledge to improve their facility. As a strategic thinker, you should never be satisfied with the status quo. You should always be looking for ways to improve your facility and its operations.

Strategic thinking is a critical skill for Facility Managers. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, the 7 C’s of strategic thinking should give you a good foundation on which to build. If you want to be a successful facility manager and climb the ladder, start by thinking strategically.

We hope you found this article helpful.