How does NCRB relate to TEFMA
The National Committee on Rationalised Building (N.C.R.B.) was
established in 1968, with its clear purpose expressed in its title.
Its objectives were expressed as:
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To provide a focal point for debate, discussion, consensus
and research on rationalisation of procedures for acquisition
and utilisation of built facilities
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To devise ways to improve building procurement and methods
of operation
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To develop standardisation tools to identify, implement and
assess fitness-for-purpose criteria for built facilities; and
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To develop communication networks which foster technological
and information transfer and application.
In those days, members of the Committee were individually responsible
to a Minister of the Crown (State or Federal).
The N.C.R.B. established a series of special-interest Sub-Committees,
e.g. Hospital Buildings, Information Exchange (later Information
Technology), Building Procurement and the Maintenance Management
Sub-Committee. This later became the Facilities Management Sub-Committee
and then the Asset Management Sub-Committee (A.M.S.).
The A.M.S. had links into the asset management field through its
membership, representing Public/ Government Departments and corporations,
Housing, Health, Tertiary Education, Industry, large Property Owners
etc. There were also close associations with complimentary organizations,
National Public Works Council, Building Owners and Managers Association
- now the Property Council of Australia, the Facility Management
Association, etc.
The A.M.S. Vision Statement was: "The Asset Management Sub-Committee
will be at the forefront in providing knowledge and advice on issues
of critical importance to achieving world best practice in building-related
asset management in Australasia".
Its Mission Statement was: "To maintain a voluntary organization
of experts to undertake research, advise and maintain communication
with asset managers and other interested parties on issues of major
importance in Asset Management".
The Goals can be summarised as:
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Be a specialist reference group, act as a forum to examine
asset management problems and as a catalyst in seeking cost-effective
solutions.
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To guide, advise and promote research in asset management,
collate and disseminate knowledge on asset management, by way
of publication, conferences etc.
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Act as a representative body for national and international
policy on asset management.
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To be recognised by the property industry in Australia as an
authoritative source of doctrine covering asset management issues
and concerns.
The concern of the A.M.S. was that the asset management profession
and industry was not sufficiently concerned with doctrine and philosophy.
It was concerned with "getting on with the task" rather
than considering the needs of the industry. Such needs as guidelines
to efficiency in use of resources and finance, the need to think
about what and why tasks were being done and were there better ways.
Membership was expanded to include Asset Managers from the property
industry and tertiary education.
Achievements of NCRB include:
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Development of Standard Terminology - originally published
as an AMS Brochure (several Editions), now jointly with Standards
Australia as the "Glossary of Building Terms". (A
new edition is pending).
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A national system for recording performance data for use in
life cycle costing of buildings.
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Financial Planning Guidelines for Asset Management.
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Four major Conferences (one with CSIRO) on facilities/asset
management.
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Other publications on asset management guidelines and topics.
The results of this work are available in the following publications
which are now available through TEFMA:
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Standard Terminology for Building Maintenance Management in
Australia (1981]) now Glossary of Building Terms (Standards
Australia).
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Performance Indicators for Building Assets (1990). Tucker &
Taylor.
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Building Property Asset Management Information Guidelines (1992).
F.J. Bromilow.
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A System for Recording Asset Life Cycle Performance Data (1995).
Bromilow/Pawsey/ Taylor/Tucker.
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Financial Planning Guidelines for Facilities Management in
Australia (1995). Pawsey/ Ragusa/Geerlings.
The relationship with TEFMA
By the mid-1990s, the pressure of the "recession we had to
have" and economic rationalism restricted the time and resources
that our membership (senior managers, departmental heads in government
and industry) could put time into our activities. Attempts were
made for strategic alliances to continue our work, without success.
Ironically the last NCRB Conference in 1995 was one of the most
successful.
NCRB's AM Sub Committee struggled on with a core of 7-8 people
but the time came when it was not viable to continue. Strangely,
the NCRB was hampered by significant financial resources which made
winding-up more difficult.
Expressions of Interest were called for, hoping to find a Tertiary
Education Institution or other organization prepared to take up
the publications, other work and the financial resources of the
NCRB. Despite receiving a considerable number of enquiries, only
two formal responses were received. After negotiations, it was agreed
to transfer the Glossary, with sufficient finances to ensure at
least one more Edition, to Standards Australia and the Asset Management
activities to AAPPA with the balance of the financial resources.
AAPPA and subsequently TEFMA accepted the obligations of:
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Running a number of Asset Management Workshops which would
continue to promote the NCRB.
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Establishment of an F.M. Scholarship in an agreed Educational
Institution for not less than three years.
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Taking over existing publications with a view to sale and,
if possible, republish.
TEFMA is working towards these goals.
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