FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
The latest RICS Facilities Management Survey has shown that despite inflationary pressures on the market, a concerted effort to improve how data is used within buildings can help improve buildings’ energy use and support businesses in decision-making.
In a survey of facility managers, service providers and FM consultancies, over three-quarters of respondents feel that data is currently not used as effectively as it could be within the FM industry. As demand for services continues to increase and workloads are expected to rise, firms and organisations need to better understand how their building is performing for people, and to support decisions around energy management.
The quarterly survey shows once again an increase in workloads across all sectors. Interestingly there has been an accelerated growth in serviced business space, as businesses welcome back more employees to the workplace. The net balance returned the highest reading (+52 per cent) in three quarters and from lows of -6 per cent Q1 2021.
Healthcare continues to be the strongest performer across all the sectors, as demand for services continues to rise in line with Covid cases. At the other end of the scale, as more businesses close, retail saw a decline.
Looking ahead, 85 per cent of respondents expect workloads to rise over the course of 2022 with sustainability management set to be the area of FM to experience the strongest growth. Respondents are also optimistic for the future of workloads in workplace and relocation management, but at the other end of the spectrum, expect catering to continue to struggle.
Influenced by the recent sharp increase in energy prices, survey respondents are increasingly of the view that energy management will attract strong investment over the next year. Some 63 per cent of respondents believe this to be the fastest growing area of sustainability as they look ahead; up from 50 per cent in Q4.
Paul Bagust, RICS Head of Property Standards, commented:“The latest survey underlines the important role that data has in helping our buildings adapt to global shocks. By creating consistency on cost elements for workspaces, people and technology, a coherent framework, such as International Building Operation Standard (IBOS) can help firms and organisations to better understand how their building is performing and optimise the value for all concerned.
“Just looking at how countries across the world are assessing their current energy uses, a better understanding of the data that a building produces can help organisations make informed decisions and save energy where it’s needed.”
To download the Q1 2022: RICS UK Facilities Management Survey click here.
Informa, the organisers of Facilities Show, together with FMJ magazine, have teamed up to launch a questionnaire which aims to offer a useful snapshot of where the facilities management sector is now, and an outlook on the future.
For instance, are you asking workers to begin to return to the office with a hybrid home/office work schedule? Are you revising your premises to enable more flexible ways of working and as such have your workplace strategies, including sustainability, wellbeing and engagement had to be radically rethought?
Your anonymised answers will contribute to a report on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing facilities managers; now, and anticipated in the next 12 months.
To take part click here.
