Facilities benchmarking is a systematic, data-driven approach to assessing and improving the performance of a facility. It involves comparing a facility's energy consumption, staffing levels, and/or environmental impact to that of similar facilities, with the goal of identifying opportunities for improvement.
The Stone House Group's benchmarking process typically includes the following steps:
1. Data collection: Data is collected from a variety of sources, including utility bills, facility management systems, and occupant surveys.
2. Data analysis: The data is analyzed to identify areas where the facility is underperforming relative to its peers.
3. Development of an improvement plan: An improvement plan is developed based on the findings of the data analysis. The plan may include measures to reduce energy consumption, improve staffing efficiency, or reduce the facility's environmental impact.
4. Implementation of the improvement plan: The improvement plan is implemented and monitored to track progress.
5. Continuous improvement: The benchmarking process is repeated on a regular basis to ensure that the facility is continuously improving its performance.
The benefits of Facilities Benchmarking include:
- Reducing energy cost, consumption, and carbon emissions
- Improving operational efficiency
- Ensuring campus standards are being met
- Meeting sustainability goals
- Aligning staffing with facilities needs
A Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) is a comprehensive evaluation of the physical condition of a building or campus. The Stone House Group works through a systematic process that identifies and documents existing conditions, determines the need for repairs or replacements, and estimates the associated costs. The Stone House Group's FCA process typically includes the following steps:
1. Data Collection: Data is collected from a variety of sources, including visual inspections, interviews with facility personnel, and review of existing documentation.
2. Assessment: The collected data is used to assess the condition of the facility's components, such as the roof, exterior walls, windows, doors, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and electrical systems.
3. Prioritization: The identified deficiencies are prioritized based on their severity, impact on operations, and cost to repair or replace.
4. Cost Estimation: The cost to repair or replace the identified deficiencies is estimated.
5. Report: A report is prepared that summarizes the findings of the FCA and provides recommendations for repairs or replacements. The Stone House Group's database of peer institution data allows for FCA benchmarking to provide additional context.
The FCA process is a valuable tool for facility managers, financial officers, and Board of Trustee members. Our process can help to identify and prioritize capital improvement projects, and it can provide a basis for budgeting and planning.
The benefits of completing a Facilities Condition Assessment include:
- Identifying needed facilities repairs
- Estimating equipment and system repair/replacement costs
- Prioritizing capital projects
- Ensuring safety and compliance
- Extending the life of assets
- Identifying deferred maintenance
The Facilities Operations Assessment process offers a structured methodology for evaluating a facility's operational and maintenance practices, with the objective of identifying potential areas for improvement. It is a comprehensive endeavor that enables organizations to optimize their operations, minimize expenditures, and enhance sustainability.
The Stone House Group's FOA analysis serves as an invaluable tool for organizations seeking to optimize their facility operations with respect to Daily Service, Staffing Levels, Planned Maintenance, and Energy Spending. Our process provides a structured framework for identifying inefficiencies, implementing targeted improvements, and achieving operational excellence.
The benefits of completing a Facilities Operations Assessment include:
- Identifying energy-saving opportunities
- Improving operational efficiency
- Ensuring compliance with regulations
- Analyzing staffing levels as compared to a facility's level of care
- Organizing Facilities Management staffing to meet campus standards
- Extending the lifespan of assets
A Greenhouse Gas Inventory involves quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an organization's activities and identifying opportunities for reduction. It helps organizations understand their climate impact, mitigate risks, and inform sustainability strategies.
The benefits of completing a Greenhouse Gas Inventory include:
- Managing energy consumption
- Reducing operational costs
- Meeting regulatory requirements
- Identifying emission reduction measures
- Enhancing corporate image
- Improving stakeholder engagement
- Supporting sustainability goals
The Stone House Group provides Carbon Footprint Management which helps qualify the effectiveness of actions so you can allocate your resources to the areas that will have the most impact. The Stone House Group utilizes these strategies to help academic institutions create Climate Action Plans and carbon reduction strategies.
Campus master planning is the key to creating a cohesive, functional, and sustainable campus environment that supports your organization's mission, values, and strategic goals. It involves assessing, prioritizing, and implementing campus infrastructure projects in alignment with long-term objectives, ensuring that the physical environment meets the evolving needs of the community.
Master planning is an investment in the future of your campus. It provides a roadmap for growth and development, ensuring that your campus remains competitive and responsive to the evolving needs of the community. The Stone House Group has experience working with architects and campus planners to assist with transforming your campus into a vibrant, sustainable, and inspiring environment for generations to come.
The benefits of Master Planning Support include:
- Improving infrastructure efficiency
- Analyzing project feasibility
- Reducing campus operating costs
- Analyzing life cycle costs
- Enhancing sustainability
- Encouraging innovation
Engaging an owner's representative for a construction project provides a valuable and strategic advantage to the owner. The owner's representative acts as an advocate, safeguarding the owner's interests and ensuring that project goals are met effectively and efficiently.
The Stone House Group's approach to acting as an owner's representative assumes various critical responsibilities to protect the owner's interests. They serve as a liaison between the owner and the design team, contractors, and other project stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and coordination among all parties involved. The representative thoroughly reviews project plans and specifications, providing valuable input and advocating for the owner's vision and requirements. Additionally, they monitor project progress closely, identifying and addressing potential issues proactively to minimize delays and cost overruns.
One of the significant benefits of utilizing The Stone House Group an owner's representative is their expertise in construction management. They possess a deep understanding of the construction process, industry standards, and best practices. This knowledge enables them to make informed decisions, negotiate effectively with contractors, and ensure that the project is executed according to the highest quality standards.
The benefits of utilizing an Owner's Representative include:
- Managing contracts
- Ensuring code compliance
- Reducing costs
- Providing oversight
- Representing interests
- Overseeing construction
Space Utilization Studies conducted by The Stone House Group involve a methodical and comprehensive examination of space allocation within organizations. These studies include rigorous analysis of space usage patterns, assessment of current and future space needs, and identification of opportunities for optimization and improvement. Key components of Space Utilization Studies include data collection and analysis, space needs assessment, identification of improvement opportunities, development of a space utilization plan, and implementation and monitoring.
The Stone House Group's Space Utilization Studies are designed to assist organizations in maximizing their utilization of space, minimizing operational costs, and enhancing overall efficiency. Our team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to develop customized solutions that maximize space utilization, enhance operational efficiency, and support the organization's long-term strategic goals.
Space Utilization Studies are a valuable tool for organizations looking to optimize their space usage, improve operational efficiency, and support their long-term strategic goals. By conducting a thorough analysis of space usage patterns, assessing current and future space needs, and identifying opportunities for improvement, organizations can maximize their utilization of space, minimize operational costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
The benefits of completing a Space Utilization Study include:
- Identifying underutilized spaces
- Improving space planning
- Optimizing space utilization
- Reducing operating costs
- Increasing productivity
- Enhancing employee satisfaction
- Supporting strategic planning
The facilities staff recruitment process entails several key steps, including identifying staffing needs, devising a recruitment strategy, and attracting and selecting qualified candidates. The Stone House Group follows a structured recruitment process to ensure alignment with long-term objectives and organizational goals. This process effectively addresses staffing requirements, enhances employee satisfaction, and contributes to improved operational efficiency.
The recruitment process begins with a thorough analysis of current and future staffing needs. Our team collaborates with department heads to assess the organization's current staffing levels, anticipate future growth, and identify any skill or staffing gaps. This analysis provides a solid foundation for determining the number and types of positions to be filled.
Next, The Stone House Group develops a comprehensive recruitment strategy that outlines the methods and channels to be used to attract qualified candidates. The strategy considers factors such as the availability of skilled labor in the local market, the organization's reputation as an employer, and the specific requirements of the positions to be filled. Our team utilizes a combination of traditional and innovative recruitment methods, including online job postings, employee referrals, and targeted outreach to professional networks.
The benefits of Facilities Staff Recruitment include:
- Recruiting qualified candidates
- Increasing staff diversity
- Enhancing employee morale
- Attracting top talent
- Reducing turnover rates
- Strengthening the team
- Improving customer service
Utility master planning is a comprehensive process that involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing energy-related infrastructure projects. It is a systematic approach that enables organizations to align their energy infrastructure investments with their long-term energy goals and objectives. Key elements of utility master planning include data collection and analysis, scenario planning, project identification and prioritization, financial planning and resource allocation, and implementation and monitoring. By developing utility master plans, organizations can benefit from long-term energy planning, improved infrastructure efficiency, enhanced sustainability and resilience, regulatory compliance, and effective stakeholder engagement.
The benefits of Utility Master Planning include:
- Reducing energy costs
- Improving infrastructure reliability
- Decarbonizing heating and cooling systems
- Analyzing the potential for campus/building electrification
- Developing long-term utility planning
- Aligning utility plans with building Master Plans
The Stone House Group has partnered with architects and engineers to align campus Master Plans with Utility Master Plans. Our process analyzes life cycle costs of utility systems that include capital, maintenance, equipment, and energy costs.
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP)
- LEED AP O+M
.jpg)
.jpg)
