SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/442256
FACILITY & OPERATIONS 38 SportsTurf | January 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com Mike TaranTino, CSFM Director, Maintenance & Operations Poway (CA) Unified School District During this time of "downsizing," "doing more with less" and "streamlining the organization" (all euphemisms I have grown to dislike), you want (or have been asked to consider) becoming a Facilities Manager. There are many things to consider, too many to put in one arti- cle; however there are some that will be critical for you to succeed. The first is, knowing what the job actually entails and then fitting your personal and professional skills to perform that job. My top four are: Seeing the "big picture," developing your team, managing projects and using feedback. Seeing the "big picture" is critical for success. As a turf man- ager we all can see the "big picture" when it came to safety and playability of our fields but do we see where our fields fit into the overall plan of our organization? Facilities managers must be able to see this, weigh options, make the best decision based on the plan, and implement the plan and budget to achieve the plan. This can only happen with your willingness to be involved with the plan from early on or "buying in." This is often a conflict for new facilities managers especially if we have come from the turf management side of the house. Our love of turf manage- ment often skews our perception as we have to make a decision that will affect our turf. For example: an unexpected repair needs to be made to a building under your management or maybe needs a new roof; at the same time, a field needs to be re-sodded but there is only money for one of the projects…which wins? Remember the "big picture" but . . . You aren't alone when having to make these decisions. Developing your team is crucial to your success. You should have a team of experts working with you from all sides of the organi- zation, from turf management to building repair. Use them! As the facilities manager it is no longer them vs. us. The team you inherited or selected need to be involved with every aspect that affects how you respond to situations. Collaboratively work with your team to achieve desired out- comes because their involvement in the decision making process is crucial to the success of the big picture. Their voices need to be heard in budgeting, project planning and their experience in their chosen field will help you weigh options, some of which you may never have considered. Don't be afraid to ask your "customers" their thoughts, you might be surprised by their answers. I have managed by my own philosophy—sweat the small stuff. As managers we are all very good at handling the big projects; however, it is the little things that if left unattended soon become the hot project, i.e., the coach asking for an additional line to be painted for practice. They won't remember the re-sodding or the laser grading but they will remember that additional practice line not getting painted. Always remember that you are the responsible one so don't pass on the responsibility. Make the best decision possible with the information you have at the time. Don't pass the buck! Become a juggler. You now have multiple projects to manage; from building maintenance to turf projects and the always unex- So, you want to be a facilitieS manager? ■ By Mike TaranTino, CSFM, and Mike andreSen, CSFM editor's note: We asked two veteran turf managers who now work managing multiple facilities off the field for recommendations on how others might prepare for similar positions.