A facilities approach addresses how the planning, design, and management of buildings and associated systems affect an organization's ability to meet business objectives. Physical aspects of the space are coordinated with personnel and work processes. Real estate, equipment, furnishings, and technology are not treated as isolated components but rather as resources that can be actively and creatively managed. As part of the organization's strategic plan, the performance of these resources can be measured and maintained after the building is occupied. The facility can be used as a competitive advantage - an extension of a product or service. Technology is critical to this concept. New tools are continually being developed that compress time-consuming procedures and alleviate repetitive tasks.