Date of Award

9-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael L. Shelley, PhD

Abstract

Although initial construction costs are high, the cost of operation and maintenance over a facilities life-cycle is significantly higher. A common challenge for facility maintenance professionals is balancing the cost of facility Maintenance and Repair (M&R) with the benefits derived from those facilities. This thesis documents how a selection of companies implemented that balance by determining their facilities requirements based on their chosen facility condition level and how they then allocated funds. The research effort consisted of interviews with facility maintenance professionals at each company selected. The data was then used to perform a multiple case study analysis and comparison with the methods currently used by the USAF. Results indicate that companies that methodically identified their requirements and used those requirements as the basis for allocating funds to meet those requirements incurred the least impact from facility problems on their daily operations. In comparison, companies that allocated funds based on methods other than M&R requirements typically under-funded those requirements, resulting in facilities that did not meet their needs, required work around conditions, and increased their cost of doing business. Finally, the data suggests that a commitment to facility maintenance does not impede a company s ability to compete within their market.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-02-19

DTIC Accession Number

ADA406331

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