Category Strategy Implementation

ArcBlue created a steering group and reference group bringing in stakeholders from across the university as part of the category development to create ownership across the strategy. ArcBlue then conducted workshops with key stakeholders and category owners to find overall category solutions and assessed business needs and supply markets. Workshops were designed to challenge current ways of working.

Utilising our ArcBlue category value wheel we identified key areas of opportunity and developed a core strategy. Additionally, ArcBlue created a benefits-tracking process and detailed Dashboards with focused opportunity analysis activity.

Short-, medium- and long-term opportunities were identified and a verification process was undertaken.

This university identified multiple million-dollar savings since the implementation of the new category strategies for Construction and Facilities Management. With the success of the Category Strategy implementation, ArcBlue is now further developing specific sourcing strategies which were identified as part of the Category Management plans.

The following opportunities were included:

Facilities management:

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 22% savings; Lifts 30% savings; Fire Services 6.5% saving; and Grounds Maintenance 27% savings.
• Total savings average = 24%

Construction:

• Works planning and coordination
• Establishing and managing panels/preferred suppliers including professional services, construction and minor works contractors
• Lifecycle costing alignment with FM and Services maintenance and operating costs
• Value engineering
• Standardising approach to construction (allowing for lead time, accurate estimating and professional services review/management). 

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