BENCHMARKING and YOUR ROOF
A new way to look at your roof management program
WHAT IS BENCHMARKING?
The Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition defines a benchmark
as:
as:
A surveyor's mark... a standard or point of reference in measuring or judging
quality, value, etc.
quality, value, etc.
David T. Kearns, chief executive officer, Xerox Corporation, where benchmarking was
first developed said:
first developed said:
Benchmarking is a continuous process of measuring products, services, and
practices against the toughest competitors or those companies recognized as
industry leaders.
practices against the toughest competitors or those companies recognized as
industry leaders.
A working definition of benchmarking as it relates to you and your roofing practice is:
The process whereby an organization compares their own roofing management
practices against those organizations that are known to have the best roofing
management practices so that they can become the "best of the best"
practices against those organizations that are known to have the best roofing
management practices so that they can become the "best of the best"
BACKGROUND
Benchmarking was developed by Business Systems Group of Xerox Corporation in
the late seventies in order to more effectively compete with the low prices of
Japanese plain paper copiers. Their first benchmarking project was with their
Logistics and Distribution unit. From there it spread to other manufacturing units and
departments throughout the corporation. Fortunately, Xerox was willing to share their
successes with other companies. Now organizations all over the world are using
benchmarking to identify "best in class" business practices, which when
implemented, lead to exceptional performances. RC Lichy & Associates has
researched the best companies to identify the best roofing management practices to
enable you to implement the best roofing management program.
the late seventies in order to more effectively compete with the low prices of
Japanese plain paper copiers. Their first benchmarking project was with their
Logistics and Distribution unit. From there it spread to other manufacturing units and
departments throughout the corporation. Fortunately, Xerox was willing to share their
successes with other companies. Now organizations all over the world are using
benchmarking to identify "best in class" business practices, which when
implemented, lead to exceptional performances. RC Lichy & Associates has
researched the best companies to identify the best roofing management practices to
enable you to implement the best roofing management program.
INTRODUCTION
Roofing experts all agree that the life of a roof can be substantially increased by an
effective roofing management program. Some claim fifty percent increases in the
roof life span are possible, others claim as much as one hundred percent. Some go
so far as to say that if a roof is properly designed, utilizes the right materials, is
properly installed, and is effectively maintained it will last as long as the building it
protects. Of course, any increase in the life of a roof can be translated into savings in
cost.
Most organizations pay little attention to their roofs until it is too late. Unfortunately,
once there are leaks or the roof need to be replaced there are few opportunities to
save money. A well-planned and developed roofing management program can
avoid the high cost of emergency repairs and premature replacement.
The replaced value of the typical building roof is between five and seven dollars per
square foot. When considering the replacement value plus the value of the other
building components and contents that the roof protects, it is simply too large of an
investment to ignore.
Changing from a reactive type of maintenance, where an organization simply reacts
to leaks or other roof problems, to a more proactive mode of operating requires a
significant commitment by management. The initial implementation cost is
frequently the largest stumbling block. However, when one considers the financial
savings that are possible and the fact that it really cost no more than reactive
maintenance the question becomes, "can I afford to NOT implement a well planned
and developed roofing management program?"
The question then becomes, "how do I go about planning and developing an
effective roofing management program?" The answer is simply: by benchmarking
your current roofing practices against the practices of the organizations known to
have the best roofing practices.
effective roofing management program. Some claim fifty percent increases in the
roof life span are possible, others claim as much as one hundred percent. Some go
so far as to say that if a roof is properly designed, utilizes the right materials, is
properly installed, and is effectively maintained it will last as long as the building it
protects. Of course, any increase in the life of a roof can be translated into savings in
cost.
Most organizations pay little attention to their roofs until it is too late. Unfortunately,
once there are leaks or the roof need to be replaced there are few opportunities to
save money. A well-planned and developed roofing management program can
avoid the high cost of emergency repairs and premature replacement.
The replaced value of the typical building roof is between five and seven dollars per
square foot. When considering the replacement value plus the value of the other
building components and contents that the roof protects, it is simply too large of an
investment to ignore.
Changing from a reactive type of maintenance, where an organization simply reacts
to leaks or other roof problems, to a more proactive mode of operating requires a
significant commitment by management. The initial implementation cost is
frequently the largest stumbling block. However, when one considers the financial
savings that are possible and the fact that it really cost no more than reactive
maintenance the question becomes, "can I afford to NOT implement a well planned
and developed roofing management program?"
The question then becomes, "how do I go about planning and developing an
effective roofing management program?" The answer is simply: by benchmarking
your current roofing practices against the practices of the organizations known to
have the best roofing practices.
WHY BENCHMARK?
There are many reasons why the Benchmarking process should be utilized to build
and improve your roofing management efforts. Among these are the following:
and improve your roofing management efforts. Among these are the following:
- Perhaps the greatest reason for using benchmarking is that it enables you to
learn about practices used by other organizations that are better than those
used by your organization.
- When you find the best roofing practices already being used by other
organizations, it effectively negates any argument that the practice might not
be usable.
- When you concentrate on finding and implementing the best roofing practices
that are currently being used by the best organization, you will naturally find
your organization becoming the best of the best.
- Leaks and other roofing emergencies will be immediately reduced and
eventually eliminated.
- Your roofs will last two, three and even four times longer than they do now.
- Your overall roofing maintenance and management cost will be substantially
reduced.
RC LICHY & ASSOCIATES and BENCHMARKING
RC Lichy & Associates have researched the best roofing management practices at
the best organizations across North America and Europe. This has enabled us to
establish benchmarks for all segments of a roofing management program. We have
found that the best programs excel in design, materials selection, workmanship and
maintenance.
the best organizations across North America and Europe. This has enabled us to
establish benchmarks for all segments of a roofing management program. We have
found that the best programs excel in design, materials selection, workmanship and
maintenance.
Benchmark: The best roofing management programs have the best roofing
design. We have identified the eight crucial areas of roofing design and have
established benchmarks for each. There are certain steps that must be taken in
order for an organization to meet the benchmarks. We have developed checklists
and procedures that point the way to excellence in each crucial area.
design. We have identified the eight crucial areas of roofing design and have
established benchmarks for each. There are certain steps that must be taken in
order for an organization to meet the benchmarks. We have developed checklists
and procedures that point the way to excellence in each crucial area.
Benchmark: The best roofing management programs include selection of the
best roofing materials. Some materials have proven over time to perform better
than others. We have done extensive research to identify those materials that
experts in North America and Europe agree perform best. We provide the results of
that research that enables you to be sure you have chosen the correct materials for
your roofing.
best roofing materials. Some materials have proven over time to perform better
than others. We have done extensive research to identify those materials that
experts in North America and Europe agree perform best. We provide the results of
that research that enables you to be sure you have chosen the correct materials for
your roofing.
Benchmark: The best roofing management programs have specified quality
assurance to make sure that they receive the best quality of roofing
workmanship. Whether the organization has in-house roofing personnel who
install, repair and maintain their roofs or they use contractors to do all of the work; the
best organizations have specific quality assurance programs. We have taken the
best features of these specific programs to arrive at the best quality assurance
program for you.
assurance to make sure that they receive the best quality of roofing
workmanship. Whether the organization has in-house roofing personnel who
install, repair and maintain their roofs or they use contractors to do all of the work; the
best organizations have specific quality assurance programs. We have taken the
best features of these specific programs to arrive at the best quality assurance
program for you.
Benchmark: The best roofing management programs have the best preventive
maintenance programs. The best programs have certain common elements. We
have identified those common elements and have developed benchmarks around
each.
maintenance programs. The best programs have certain common elements. We
have identified those common elements and have developed benchmarks around
each.
info@lichy.com ~ (800) 451-6288
Copyright © 2001-2008, RC Lichy & Associates, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2001-2008, RC Lichy & Associates, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
