Multiple Universities
A Review of Facilities Planning at Four University Systems
August 1999
Report Number 99-048
Overall Conclusion
Our review of facilities planning at four university systems indicates that overall these systems are doing a good job. This achievement is important because Texas will spend $3.6 billion on facilities construction at public universities in the next five years. Good facilities planning keeps construction costs under control.
Key Facts and Findings
- The four university systems could benefit from a formal performance measurement process to measure cost, timeliness, and quality. This process could help further increase efficiency, keep costs down, and ensure consistent construction quality.
- Other ways the systems could enhance their facilities planing processes are:
* Document major construction and renovation alternatives .* Work with the Coordinating Board to:
1) Develop consistent standards for assessing and reporting the physical condition of facilities, and
2) Ensure that components follow the standards.
Use the same deferred maintenance and space use criteria as the Coordinating Board.
Consider consolidating cost estimation information in an electronic database that can be accessed by all systems and the Coordinating Board.
Contact the SAO about this report.