1. Role in Circular Economy Transition
Provides digital infrastructure for tracking, managing and optimizing CE initiatives: Participants highlighted IT’s role in enabling data capture, monitoring systems and digital platforms to support circular KPIs and planning.
Facilitates integration between systems that monitor asset life cycles, space use and energy: Comments pointed to IT’s role in system integration, bridging platforms across departments to enable more accurate life cycle analysis and resource optimization.
Supports operational technology (OT) connectivity for CE-related decision-making: The notes specifically referenced “OT connectivity” and the challenge of balancing “OT life cycle with pace of innovation,” indicating the need to align building systems with modern digital tools.
Enables reuse and donation through asset tracking and retirement systems: One comment read, “opportunities for community collaboration, including donation (for hard assets),” showing that IT has a role in repurposing decommissioned assets, contributing to both circularity and social impact.
2. How FM Can Inspire Collaboration
Collaborate on system integration to support asset life cycle and CE tracking: Several groups noted that IT often owns the platforms but lacks operational insights. FM can offer data and context to make those systems CE-ready.
Co-create dashboards and risk registers for circular tracking and planning: There was a call for tools like “CE dashboards” and “risk register → asset life cycle → connected systems,” suggesting FM and IT must co-design visibility and accountability systems.
Involve IT in reuse and upcycling initiatives to ensure secure, trackable asset handling: The inclusion of e-cycling and donation as opportunities signals a need for IT and FM to collaborate on safe, policy-aligned, end-of-life pathways for tech and infrastructure.
3. Tools, Training and Capabilities Needed
Dashboards and platforms to visualize life cycle progress and CE ROI: FM teams are encouraged to work with IT to develop digital tools that reflect CE metrics, particularly tools that can bridge systems and feed executive reporting.
Joint training on CE principles, AI opportunities and cybersecure reuse models: IT stakeholders were seen as needing CE literacy, while FM teams must understand the constraints of IT protocols and system ownership.
Standardized terminology and CE playbooks for integration planning: Participants flagged misalignment in definitions and workflows across departments. Shared language was highlighted as essential for system alignment.
4. KPIs and Metrics
Percent of IT and OT assets reused, donated or recycled: Participants discussed the importance of capturing disposal and repurposing metrics, ensuring CE applies to hardware and infrastructure, not just office furniture.
Energy use, emissions reduction and smart system efficiency: Data from IT-managed systems like IoT sensors and building management platforms was considered critical for CE tracking.
Impact of CE-related training or technology adoption on behavior and results: Notes suggested that successful integration would depend on both system deployment and user adoption, requiring metrics for engagement and impact.
5. Challenges and Barriers
Cybersecurity concerns around refurbished or shared systems: Participants noted that reusing tech can pose risks if not managed correctly. IT teams need assurances about data security and system integrity.
Mismatch between OT life cycle expectations and fast-paced IT innovation: This could cause potential tension, as CE favors long use cycles, while IT is often pushed to upgrade quickly. Balancing the two requires careful planning.
Siloed systems and proprietary platforms that resist integration: Some groups identified the lack of interoperability as a barrier; when IT and FM use different tools, collaboration on CE is harder to achieve.
International Facility Management Association (IFMA) supports over 25,000 members in 140 countries. Since 1980, IFMA has worked to advance the FM profession through education, events, credentialing, research, networking and knowledge-sharing.
