With the close of this century and the beginning of the 21st century, we will all be challenged in ways that, until a few years ago, we would not have envisioned. Changes in all aspects of the business are occurring at speeds never before experienced in our lifetime.

This is evident in the amount of information that bombards us each day. Newspapers, periodicals, seminar and training courses, consultants, and legal proceedings at an ever-increasing rate discuss the issues facing the facility engineer and utility manager today. To maintain competency, provide value, and position for success in this new world, we must understand the complexity, interdependencies, and opportunities of each individual situation. One of these primary areas includes the management of utility services for our organizations.