By Dr Olaniyi Opanuga, FNIPM, FSCFM, FSCAPMP, FSCMOMP, FSCEMP

Department of Engineering Management,

School of Facility, Project, Maintenance And Engineering Management.

1.0 Introduction

Facility, Project Maintenance and Engineering Management are interconnected disciplines essential for the efficient and effective operation of organizations, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, power, and services.

 

These management areas ensure that physical assets, projects, and technical operations are planned, executed, and sustained to achieve organizational goals, deliver value, and maintain competitiveness.

 

Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM) School of Facility, Project, Maintenance and Engineering Management provides world-class training, certification and membership for professionals in these fields.

 

NIPM’s programs equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to excel in facility, project, maintenance, and engineering management.

2.0 Facility Management

Facility Management (FM) is the practice of overseeing, managing and supervising day – to – day operations involving the integration of systems – people, places, processes, and technology within the built environment to ensure functionality, comfort, security, safety, productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.

 

It includes:

– Space planning and workplace management.

 

– Maintenance and operation of buildings and systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.).

 

– Health, safety, and environmental compliance.

 

– Asset management and lifecycle planning.

 

– Service delivery and support (cleaning, security, catering, etc.).

 

Example:

A facility manager at a university oversees the campus(es) buildings, infrastructures, spaces, gardens, utilization of classrooms, libraries, student associations and recreational centres, religious worshiping centres, laboratories, engineering workshops, sporting grounds, hostels, and utility systems, ensuring a safe, maintainable and conducive environment for learning and research.

3.0 Project Management

Project Management (PM) is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, techniques and ethical prowess to project activities with a view to achieving project objectives. It involves:

– Defining project scope, objectives, and deliverables.

 

– Planning, scheduling, and budgeting.

 

– Assembling and managing project teams.

 

– Managing resources, risks, and stakeholders.

 

– Monitoring progress and ensuring quality.

 

– Delivering projects on time, within budget, and to required standards.

 

Example:

A project manager leads a team to construct a new factory, coordinating design, procurement, construction and commissioning to meet client requirements.

 

At NIPM, we emphasize Applied Project Management.

4.0 Maintenance Management

Maintenance Management (MM) is the process of planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating and directing maintenance activities to ensure that assets, equipment, and facilities operate reliably and efficiently. It includes:

– Preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.

 

– Work order management and scheduling.

 

– Spare parts and inventory control.

 

– Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and condition monitoring.

 

– Safety and compliance management.

 

– Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): A holistic approach to maintenance that aims to achieve perfect production by involving all employees from top management to shop floor workers.

 

– TPM focuses on eliminating losses, improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and operator involvement in maintenance activities.

 

The 5 major zeros of TPM focus are zero unplanned break downs, zero losses, zero accidents, zero defects and zero downtime or minor stoppages (which undermine Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), a vital manufacturing production or plant management metric.

 

Example:

A maintenance manager at a power plant implements a predictive maintenance program to reduce equipment failures and extend asset life, while also adopting TPM principles to engage operators in routine equipment checks and small repairs, boosting overall plant efficiency.

5.0 Engineering Management

Engineering Management (EM) is the art and science of planning, organizing, co – ordinating, controlling and directing engineering – related business or organizational activities.

 

It is a multidisciplinary area that bridges the gap between engineering and business administration, focusing on:

– Technical project delivery.

 

– Resource optimization (people, materials, technology, equipment, and finance).

 

– Innovation and technology adoption and utilization

 

– Quality, safety, health and environmental (QSHE) management

 

– Leadership, team development, motivation and performance management.

 

Example:

An engineering manager at a manufacturing company oversees product design and development, project planning and execution, optimization of production processes, reducing waste, ensuring quality, safety and environmental compliance standards, improving and sustaining plant operations for productivity, efficiency, maintainability and reliability and providing technical team leadership to achieve business objectives.

 

Engineering managers are found on construction, agricultural and mining sites, oil and gas fields, transportation sectors – such as aviation, maritime; and service organizations.

6.0 The Interrelationship Between Facility, Project, Maintenance, and Engineering Management.

These disciplines are closely linked and often overlap in practice:

 

》 Facility management ensures that buildings and infrastructure support organizational activities. Facility manager oversees day – to – day operations of a business or an organization involving properties, infrastructures, projects and services to ensure efficiency, profitability and overall organizational effectiveness. It involves the management of people, technology and processes to deliver value to stakeholders.

 

》 Project management delivers new facilities or maintains, repairs or upgrades existing facilities (physical structures such as buildings, spaces, equipment, plant or infrastructure). Project management also involves providing products and services. Project managers are involved in improving systems through structured projects. It is all about effective deliverables.

 

》 Maintenance management keeps assets and facilities operational, reliable and sustainable. It entails getting production and operations to run smoothly towards efficient and effective value delivery.

 

》 Engineering management provides the technical leadership and integration needed for all the three areas of practice.

 

Effective coordination among these areas leads to improved asset performance, reduced costs, enhanced safety, and greater stakeholder satisfaction.

 

7.0 The Role of NIPM in Facility, Project, Maintenance, and Engineering Management.

 

Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM) powers the professional practices of facility, project, maintenance and engineering management through the following:

 

• Professional Education:

NIPM provides world-class professional certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, postgraduate diploma (PGD), Mini-MBA and Certified Master Programs to provide and increase practical knowledge and competencies required for effective performance on the job.

 

• Training and Certification:

– NIPM offers professional certifications such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Certified Applied Project Management Professional (CAPMP), Certified Applied Project Manager (CAPM), Certified Maintenance Operations Management Professional (CMOMP), and Certified Engineering Management Professional (CEMP).

 

• Membership and Professional Status:   Members use designatory titles (MNIPM, MCIAM, MCMAI, MSCFM, MSCAPMP, MSCMOMP, MSCEMP) and gain access to a network of experts.

 

• Best Practices and Standards:

– NIPM promotes globally recognized standards and best practices in all the four disciplines.

 

• Policy Advocacy: NIPM works with industry and government to shape policies and standards for effective facility, project, maintenance, and engineering management practice.

 

• Professional Development:

– Ongoing workshops, seminars, and resources keep members up-to-date with latest trends and technologies.

8.0 NIPM Certified Membership Societies/Professional Bodies.

You can register with the following associations to increase your value, boost professional development, personal profile and credibility, enhance your status, drive innovation and increase business connections.

 

■ Society for Certified Facility Managers (SCFM)

 

■ Society for Certified Applied Project Management Professionals (SCAPMP)

 

■ Society for Certified Maintenance Operations Management Professionals (SCMOMP)

 

■ Society for Certified Engineering Management Professionals (SCEMP)

 

Professional bodies that add value to you as a facility manager, project manager, maintenance manager or an engineering management professional include:

 

■ Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM)

 

■ The Certified Institute of Applied Management And Administration (CIAMA)

 

■ The Certified Management And Administration Institute (CMAI)

 

These societies and institutes provide professional recognition, networking, and continuous development opportunities for certified members, fostering excellence and leadership in each discipline

9.0 Conclusion

Facility, Project, Maintenance and Engineering Management are vital for organizational success and national development through high return on investment (ROI), asset longevity and serviceability, effective deliverables, maintainability, reliability and optimum resource utilization.

 

Professionals in these fields must blend technical expertise with management skills to deliver value, safety, and sustainability.

 

With the support of NIPM and its certified membership societies, individuals and organizations can achieve world-class standards and drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

 

■ ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Olaniyi Opanuga, FNIPM, FSCFM, FSCAPMP, FCMAI, FCIAM, FIMC CMC, FSCMOMP, FSCEMP, is a certified applied project management consultant and a leading authority on engineering management, production, and supply chain operations in Nigeria.

 

He is the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Production Management (NIPM).

Dr Opanuga is a renowned Professor at the College of Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management (CMLSCOM), where he shapes future leaders and advances knowledge in his field.

 

He is an internationally certified management consultant and Fellow, The Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), Fellow, The Society for Certified Facility Managers (SCFM), Fellow, Society for Certified Maintenance Operations Management Professionals (FSCMOMP), Doctoral Fellow of The Society for Certified Engineering Management Professionals (SCEMP), Certified Engineering Management Consultant (CEMC), and Fellow, The Certified Institute of Applied Management And Administration (CIAMA).

 

CONTACT NIPM TODAY 

Tel./WhatsApp: 08069006671, 08023140750

E-mail: info@nipmnigeria.com.ng