Case Study: University of Texas at Austin achieves data-driven facilities planning and increased funding with VFA

Demonstrating the Value of Facilities Investments at The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin faced the challenge of prioritizing renovation, renewal, and compliance projects across more than 19 million square feet of facilities on a fixed $12 million annual budget. Facilities Services needed an objective, repeatable way to assess building conditions, build its annual budget and 10-year plan, and better demonstrate its funding needs to university leadership and the Budget Council. VFA and its VFA.facility capital planning software were used to centralize facility condition data and support decision-making.

VFA implemented campus-wide facility condition assessments and a web-based planning system through VFA.facility, with VFA.auditor also used for self-assessments by staff. This gave UT Austin a reliable, updated database to prioritize projects, communicate needs more effectively, and benchmark performance. As a result, annual funding increased from $12 million in 2002 to $15 million in 2004 and $18 million in 2010, while the university shifted from a 80/20 repair-to-renewal mix to 15/85 in favor of system renewal.

University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Steve Kraal

Senior Associate Vice President for Campus Planning & Facilities Management, The University of Texas at Austin