Data driven decisions? What data are we using when we look at our facilities operation? With all that’s happening now with collaboration/consolidation issues and continuing efforts to understand our costs and efficiencies in facilities, it’s important to have current information regarding this area of our operations. MSBO’s 2007 Facilities Benchmarking Survey can help.
Benchmarking is a powerful tool for initiating and sustaining continuous improvement. Good decisions begin with good information and benchmarking provides a framework, structure, and methodology to gather essential analysis.
Benchmarking is also a powerful tool for change because it generates credible, comprehensive, comparative information that moves from a debate about what’s wrong to a discussion of how to improve.
The Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) is collecting data for their 7th School Benchmarking Survey this fall. All Michigan public K-12 districts are asked to participate in this survey to provide comprehensive information on school facilities and the costs of maintaining them. MSBO will publish the survey in comparison groups based on size of district and region of the state. Individual school district information will not be released.
Gathering this information regularly helps to ensure current data for comparing costs, and analyzing trends.
This survey provides useful financial benchmarking information to schools for understanding and managing their infrastructure resources. The Facilities Benchmarking Survey can help you answer two important questions:
• Where can I reduce resources and have the least negative impact?
• Where can I invest resources to have the greatest positive impact?
(Take a look at the 2005 benchmarking survey results on the MSBO Web site.)
All MSBO members in the area of facilities and business office operations have been sent an e-mail about this project. The survey form and instructions are posted on the MSBO Web site.
Districts have until December 17 to complete the survey. The information obtained will provide school districts with valuable data to assess their operational costs. Please make sure your district is a part of this important benchmarking study.