Introduction
In October 2021, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) launched its new research entity supported by an international, multidisciplinary Research Advisory Committee.[1] IFMA Research’s objective is to advance insights and discussions on best contemporary practices and emerging industry-critical issues among a global community of highly engaged practitioners, scholars and students to catalyze transformation in the facility management (FM) industry. The following white paper describes the strategic direction for IFMA Research activities. Through these interactions and conversations, we hope to inform and form a community of evermore resilient practitioners transforming the built environment and society for the better.
Facility management has recently met several inflection points that call for new working methods; therefore, IFMA must foster and facilitate discussions to help set a new course for the industry. FM should build upon a history of innovation and use the field's complexity and multidisciplinarity to its advantage. By understanding current and emergent end-user needs and societal requirements, FM practitioners can identify new opportunities for future development. By understanding how building layers interact across disparate time scales, facility managers can enact systemic change for the benefit of end users, organizations and communities. Facility managers have an opportunity to be at the forefront of transformative change and lead the industry to higher ground. IFMA Research will help inspire that journey.
The white paper consists of six sections:
- Inflection points
- A history of innovation
- Shearing layers of change
- The built environment
- Facility management
- Areas for future research
[1]IFMA (2021) “IFMA Focuses on the Future of Facility Management” (October 12) IFMA News. https://www.ifma.org/news/whats-new-at-ifma-new/research-advisory-committee-oct-2021/