In a medium-sized town, known for its intellectual spirit and forward-thinking community, a curious decision was made—one that raised eyebrows and sparked conversations about how facilities planning should really work.
The town had secured funding for a multi-million-dollar new building, carefully planned to replace an aging facility that had served its purpose but was nearing the end of its useful life. Design work was already underway, and the excitement surrounding the project was palpable.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a moderate renovation was completed on a suite in the very same aging building—right before it was set to be replaced.
At taxpayer expense.
On the surface, the renovation wasn’t unreasonable. The suite needed improvements, and a well-intentioned spreadsheet somewhere showed the funds were available. The decision was made in isolation—without a big-picture view of the town’s long-term facility strategy.
Had the town been using an Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS) to centralize its facilities data, planning, and condition assessments, decision-makers would have had a clearer picture before greenlighting that renovation.
Facilities management isn’t just about fixing what’s broken today—it’s about smart planning for the future. Without centralized data, well-meaning decisions can turn into costly mistakes, leaving budgets stretched thin and facilities stuck in a cycle of unnecessary spending.
With an IWMS, towns and organizations can see the full picture, making decisions that align with long-term goals, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency.
Because spreadsheets tell numbers—but an IWMS tells the story behind them.