Facility “Management“ (Leadership) vs. “Maintenance”

Posted on Feb 11, 2011

.
To some of you, this may sound like semantics, but I think that it is much, much deeper than two “words” that some would consider synonyms. Let me describe what I have seen and then let you decide if there is or is not a difference.

First, let’s explore how dictionary.com defines these 2 words:
.
man-age-ment

1. The act or manner of managing: handling, direction, or control
2. Skill in managing; executive ability
3. The person or persons controlling and directing the affairs of a business, institution, etc

.
main-te-nance

1. The act of maintaining
2. The state of being maintained
3. Care or upkeep, as of machinery or property

As I look at these definitions, I see a couple things that jump out at me:

1. Management appears to define the act of being proactive.
2. Management requires a skill to lead and direct activities of an organization or team
3. Maintenance appears to be developing a way to maintain the status quo
4. Maintenance is focused on the care and upkeep of something which may be seen as reactive.

There has been much discussion and many books written about the difference between management and “leadership”. From a pure business perspective, I understand the differences. However, in this instance I would suggest that Facility “Management” if more congruent with Leadership than maintenance. Even the above definitions would lead to that conclusion.

What words could be used to describe management vs. maintenance? See below the word pictures that we would use:

MANAGEMENT	MAINTENANCE
Proactive	Reactive
Preventive	Corrective
Lead	React
Plan	Respond
Systematic	Scramble
Save over the Long Term	Spend as needed
Increase Life Cycle	Band-Aid

So, as you explore your facility stewardship needs, are you providing management/leadership, or merely maintenance?

Food for thought…