9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
Register to attend IFMA’s World Workplace 2022 in Nashville, TN, USA. ×
Get Tickets
Home / About / What is FM?
What is Facility Management?
Who manages one of your organization’s largest assets with one of the largest
operating budgets? Your facility manager.
What is facility management?
Facility or facilities management (FM) is a profession dedicated to supporting people.
It ensures the functionality, comfort, safety, sustainability and efficiency of the built
environment - the buildings we live and work in and their surrounding
infrastructure. As defined by ISO and adopted by IFMA,
Facility Management is an organizational function which
integrates people, place and process within the built
environment with the purpose of improving the quality of life
of people and the productivity of the core business.
This combination of job responsibilities supports the operations of each
organization to create an environment where the systems work together seamlessly,
from the parking lot to the executive suite. Facility managers are the people who
make sure we have the safest and best experience possible, by coordinating the
processes that make the built environment succeed.
what do facility why is fm what skills do how does what is the
managers do? relevant? fms need? ifma fit in? future of fm?
What do facility managers do?
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 1/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
Whether the space is a factory, office, hospital, shopping mall, airport, museum or stadium, someone makes sure the building
and all of its components work properly. That person is a facility manager. Facility managers (FMs) make sure systems in the built
environment work together as they should, that buildings fulfill their intended purposes, and that personnel are healthy and
productive.
Facility managers have many different titles and career paths. They often aren’t called facility managers even though they are
responsible for aspects of facility management, including planning, evaluating and maintaining building systems. Facility
managers hold a variety of roles, including:
Building operations like cleaning, security, maintenance and grounds management
Return-to-work processes and policies
Emergency and disaster mitigation and response
Sustainability planning
Project management and budgeting
Real estate management and space planning
Business continuity planning
Where you will find facility managers
Why is FM relevant?
The FM industry is growing rapidly, and the COVID-19 pandemic made safety and health a top priority. Changes to technology,
green initiatives and other current trends are changing how FM teams conduct business and respond to everyday challenges.
Facility managers are a crucial part of every organization because they ensure that the places where we work, play and live are
safe, comfortable, sustainable and efficient. Facility managers contribute to an organization’s strategy and bottom line in a
variety of ways.
Contribute to operational efficiencies
Plan and deliver infrastructure needs to support productivity
Manage risks including those to facilities, employees, suppliers and business reputation
Mitigate and reduce environmental impact
Promote sustainable tactics for long-term cost management
Leverage technological solutions
Mitigate and overcome effects of natural disasters
Guarantee compliance
Leverage security
FM continues to be an important part of returning to the office after the pandemic. Ensuring that offices meet the needs of
changing organizations and evolving workforces, and guaranteeing the safest workplaces possible, has become the focus of
many facility managers. The profession is also starting to impact environmental, social and corporate governance issues. Facility
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 2/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
managers help support how each organization works toward social goals, including responsible and ethical investing,
sustainability and overall impact, instead of only focusing on the bottom line.
What skills do facility managers need?
FM is a varied career. FMs could be working on a maintenance budget one day, overseeing work on an HVAC system the next and
making real estate decisions the day after that. In order to stay on top of the profession, facility managers should be
knowledgeable of the 11 Core Competencies of FM.
Find out why a career in FM is right for you arrow_right_alt
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 3/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
How does IFMA support FM?
IFMA’s 40+ years of knowledge and expertise enables, empowers and equips FMs to solve challenges today and in the future.
IFMA’s mission is to advance our collective knowledge, value and growth for FM professionals to perform at the highest level.
IFMA serves the global FM community through career development, learning, networking opportunities and leadership skills -
and the world's best FM events. IFMA serves all FMs, regardless of membership status.
Full IFMA members receive 30+ benefits to help them succeed.
Learn more about IFMA membership arrow_right_alt
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 4/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
How are IFMA and the FM industry preparing for the future?
IFMA is focused on supporting facility managers and other built environment professionals at every career stage. We are
constantly tracking emerging topics and technologies and forecasting future skills, bringing the industry at large timely
information and resources to encourage facility managers to advance and thrive in their careers. We work with facility
professionals to tackle today’s challenges and integrate insights and ideas into an exciting blueprint for a more resilient, adaptive
and sustainable future.
Here are some of the initiatives underway to guarantee the future of FM:
Globally Recognized FM Credentials
Accredited Degree Programs – Graduate and Undergraduate
Global Workforce Initiative Targeting High School/Young Adults
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupational Classification Code (2018)
ISO 41000 Facilities Management Standard
Facility Management Conferences, Expos and Events
IFMA Chapter, Council and Community Events
IFMA Programs and Services
Learn more about IFMA arrow_right_alt Find out why a career in FM is right for you arrow_right_alt
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
Your community is waiting for you
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 5/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
IFMA is your professional association for growth, networking, connection and
advancement. There’s never been a better time to elevate your career.
Join Today
Sign up for our newsletter
First Name*
Stay updated with industry research, content and trends
delivered monthly right to your inbox.
Email Address*
Subscribe
The world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals.
800 Gessner Rd. Contact Us
Ste. 725
Houston, TX 77024 Newsroom
+1-713-623-4362 FAQs
TRAINING BUSINESS
Facility Management Corporate Partner
Professional (FMP) Program
Certified Facility Advertise or Sponsor
Manager (CFM)
Exhibit at an Event
Sustainable Facility
Professional (SFP)
Post a Job
CSP Resource Hub
FM.Training Media Kit
Essentials of FM
Competency Courses
Partner Courses
RESOURCES ORGANIZATION
Engage Forum About Us
Knowledge Library What is FM
Publications Leadership & Staff
Component Leader Bylaws and Ethics
Tools
Events
Buyer’s Guide Advocacy
Job Board Brand Assets
FM Standards
OTHER SITES
R h&
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 6/7
9/19/22, 7:04 PM What is Facility Management?
Research &
Benchmarking
IFMA China
EMEA
India
IFMA Foundation
DONATE
Copyright © 2022 IFMA. Privacy Policy
https://www.ifma.org/about/what-is-fm/ 7/7
