The Effect of the Long-Term Plan for FabLabs Performance and Sustainability: FabLab ALAHSA Case Study

Reaching a good level of sustainability and increasing performance are challenges facing many FabLabs around the world. The main objective of this research is to measure the effect of the long-term plan on FabLabs performance and sustainability. Researchers discuss the path have been taken by FabLab AlAHSA team to rapidly increase the performance that lead to improve the sustainability indication. Working with operation excellence from planning, doing, checking then adjusting along with flexible but clear goals will help to reach out a high-level performance. FabLab shall identify the gaps in the community, set goals, create programs then set a long-term plan that help to fill the gaps. Result of this research indicate that goals achieved by over 95% in 2020 compare to around 30% for the same period in previous year. In addition, attendance reach over 8200 people while it is less than 1600 before plan set and followed. Researchers recommend that short and long-term plans shall be main part during FabLabs establishment same as 3D printers and electronics. Long-term plan is the guidance for the establishment work and the generator for performance indicators or key performance indicators (KPIs).