What is a facilities managers role in TPM

Darren,

Whatever your company defines it as, it's your call and different for various organizations.

ASD...

The facillitator usually monitors the team or groups progress.Making sure they are on the right track. Not necessarly providing the answers but to induce the team to provide the answers.Coaching and Mentoring play a big part in facillitation.'

Cheers,

Nailen Naidoo

I underwent a facilitators course a number of years ago in as part of a TQM role out in the company I was with at the time.
We were taught that in a meeting the facilitator is there to agree and control the process of the meeting; to ensure that all contribute and no-one dominates; the meeting stays focused on the problem; to aid with the use of imformation gathering (brainstorming, KJ etc.) and problem solving (Pareto, Ishikawa, SPC etc)tools and techniques.
The facilitator would normally have no vested interest in the outcome of the meeting except that it was successful.

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Alan Greatbatch

[This message has been edited by Alan Greatbatch (edited 10 April 2001).]

Sorry - I just found this topic but I would like to get some clarification.

I see the original question relating to a facility (area, plant, etc) manager, not a facilitator. I sure could be wrong as some of the answers have gone the other way.

Just in case - Al gave the right advice IMO. You need to define in your procedures what you want the manager to do. In our company, we use a "hub" system for TPM. A central TPM coordinator tracks and maintains the TPM records and schedules and provides "specialty" maintenance. This central data base is sharred with each "hub" (plant/area location). Each area/plant manager has responsibility for his/her area (usually performed by what we call "Maintenance Star Points" (part of our empowered teams program). Documentation of the work performed and any updates is fed back to the coordinator. It is also the manager's responsibility, along with the plant team (eng., qual., prod., etc.) to identify and add equipment/services to the schedule.

As Al says, different for various companies.

Dave

I'm with you D.Scott,

I think Darren was talking about a job description type of thing, not about facilitating meetings and/or project groups.

ASD...

Now that we have that streight (facility manager - not meeting facilitator) - any ideras, folks?

Should we define the Facilities Manager?

As with any initiative, there should be a point person to oversee and direct activities. I see this person as a facilitator (oddly enough) since this person must offer the guidance and direction without necessarily being directly involved.

Logically speaking, I suppose, you could come to the conclusion that the Facilities Manager should fit this discription, but anyone possessing the necessary knowledge can do the job.

Just a thought.

Kevin