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How should I make decisions regarding the construction and location of my facilities?

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The most basic, and perhaps the most important, of facility management questions regards the location and layout of facilities. Whether you are building for the first time, adding on to an existing project, considering moving job sites, or simply trying to use space better, facility construction and location is an important issue. Ask yourself these questions:

What is the purpose of this facility? Understanding purpose governs every decision you make. How big should it be? Where on the property on in the town should I have a facility? How much money should I spend on the project? Each of these questions comes back to knowing how and why you will build and use the facility.

Who will this facility serve? If you are trying to serve primarily customers, you need to pick a location and style that will attract those customers. If the facility will serve mainly employees, think about utility--what do my employees need on a daily basis, in terms of transportation, space, lighting, and technology?

Does this facility allow for growth? Don't build needless extra space, but if you think you will grow, save yourself headaches and money later by designing or selecting a facility with easy renovation or room for growth.

How should the facility look in comparison with what surrounds it? Stay away from gaudy and determine to make all your facilities pleasing to the eye and environmentally conscious. In addition, if you already have facilities on site, consider how you can fit in with the overall strategy of the complex.

Especially if you are building new facilities, you may want to consider bringing in an architect or designer to help you with some of these issues. If you will make these decisions yourself, keep in mind the above questions of purpose and utility.

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