Aimée L Felton 2012

36 THREE priority, instead of the idealised planned, minimal intervention high priority. Whilst is it made apparent that many non-heritage focused organisations are falling short of a best practice approach, there are positive signs that some efforts to provide maintenance to historic buildings are emerging, if not always intentionally. Although a lack of conservation consciousness was attributed as a primary factor inhibiting better practice, there is suggestion that the implementation of rigorous and thorough condition surveys could help to highlight the embedded cultural significance of the historic buildings and develop into information rich maintenance management programmes. This would improve the efficiency and financial viability of the exercise, allowing organisations owning a mixed portfolio to provide all the relevant and important information regarding the care for the vulnerable fabric for the day-to-day maintenance. There is a significant shortfall in the appreciation of specific heritage focused goals within the general organisational core-business structure; this is due to the prevalence of literature available focused solely on heritage-focused organisations, with very little conclusive or rigorous comparison. Aligning with the lack of specific information, is the lack of in-depth information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of utilising in-house staff for regular maintenance work and exploiting the existing knowledge base of the staff in order to help draft thorough, useful and relevant documents. Financial implications of adopting the minimal intervention method, as previously discussed are mixed, though understanding of organisational performance indicators to measure quality and progress lack recognition. Chapter Three - Literature Review Aimee Felton