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The global evolution of facility management: How to expand from IBM's network management to commercial space?
Facilities management (FM) has evolved into a professional field focused on coordinating the use of space, infrastructure, people and organizations. It ensures that physical assets and environments are matched to the needs of each user and supports the goals of organizations in the built environment by integrating maintenance, safety, efficiency and comfort. The FM industry operates based on global standards such as ISO 41001 and is guided by organizations such as the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).
History
The concept of facilities management originated in the 1960s and was originally related to IT system management. The term originated from IBM alumnus and Electronic Data Systems founder Ross Perot to describe the integration of network management and support services. Over time, this area has expanded to include broader construction and operations management. In 1979, facilities management was mentioned as part of the strategic organizational planning process at a conference sponsored by Herman Miller. The company subsequently established the Facilities Management Institute (FMI) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In 1980, the National Facility Management Association (NFMA) was formed, separating the industry from a single firm. In 1982, NFMA expanded to become the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). In 1986, the first professional FM organisation in the UK was established, the Association of Facilities Managers (AFM).
Definition and Scope
Facilities management encompasses a wide range of business functions to balance the demand and supply of facilities and services. The term “facilities” encompasses all tangible assets that support an organization, such as real estate, buildings, infrastructure, HVAC systems, IT services, etc. According to the definition of ISO 41011 in 2017, FM is "the organizational function of integrating people, places and processes in the built environment to improve the quality of people's lives and the productivity of core business." ISO 41001:2018 provides a management framework for implementation These principles.
Main Capabilities
According to IFMA, “FM is the practice of coordinating physical workspaces with the people and work in an organization.” In addition, in its 2017 Global Job Task Analysis, IFMA identified 11 facility management capabilities, including:
Leadership and StrategyOperation and maintenance
Finance and Business
Environmental protection and sustainability
Project Management
Human Factors EngineeringReal Estate and Property Management
Facilities and Technology Management
Risk Management
Communication
Quality and Performance
The Role of the Facilities Manager
Facilities managers (FMs) span multiple business functions. Their first priority is to ensure the safety of people's lives. Facility managers need to operate on two levels:
Strategic and Tactical: Help clients and end users understand the potential impact of decisions on space, services, costs and business risks.
Operational: Ensure an enterprise-friendly and cost-effective environment for all users.
EHS: Environment, Health and Safety
The FM department in an organization needs to identify, analyze, evaluate, control and manage many environmental and safety related issues. Failure to manage properly may result in ill health, employee injuries, business losses and legal proceedings.
Fire safety
The threat posed by fire is a high risk of loss of life and may damage property or shut down business. Facilities management is required to regularly maintain, inspect and test all fire safety equipment and life safety systems and retain compliance records and certificates.
Cleaning and daily operations
Cleaning operations are often carried out outside working hours, but necessary cleaning services are provided during working hours. In many organizations, frequent changes to office layouts require planning and management by the FM department, using computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist with design.
Business Continuity Plan
All organizations should have a sustainability plan in place to quickly restore operations in the event of a fire or major failure. The FM department will be one of the key players when it comes time to transfer operations to the recovery site.
Global Facilities Management Day
Since 2009, the global FM organization has held World FM Day every year to celebrate and recognize the contributions of facility management professionals and highlight the role of facility managers in driving global sustainability, innovation and operational excellence.
As the scope of facility management gradually expands, the industry may face new challenges and opportunities in the future. Do we need to rethink the role and importance of facilities management in today’s business environment?
