Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far and away the best prize that life
offers is the chance to work hard at something worth doing." Certainly
the chance to offer a safe office environment, make workspaces
accessible to those with disabilities, be the voice of calm and
organization during a disaster and put your company in the forefront
of technology are all worthwhile endeavors. To perform all of
these duties well requires hard work. To perform all of them in
just one day requires the knowledge and finesse of a facility
manager.
Just what is a facility manager? A facility manager is involved
in coordinating all the details related to planning, designing
and managing complex facilities, including systems, equipment,
furniture and people. A facility manager is a Jack of all trades,
a juggler of many duties, a wearer of many hats. She or he must
understand the principles of business administration, architecture,
engineering and human behavior.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the
professional association for facility managers, has grouped these
responsibilities into several major functional areas:
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long-range and annual facility planning;
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facility financial forecasting;
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real estate acquisition and/or disposal;
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work specifications, installation and space management;
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architectural and engineering planning and design;
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new construction and/or renovation;
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maintenance and operations management;
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telecommunications integration, security and general administrative
services.
Why would anyone want to become a facility manager? There are
many reasons, but the preceding description characterizes its
appeal. With so many variable responsibilities, the workday of
a facility manager is anything but routine. For example, over
the course of several years, one facility manager may deal with
emergencies ranging from raw sewage coursing through the executive
dining room, to earthquakes, to vigilante rats trying to take
over the building. Another facility manager may jet around the
country securing real estate space and supervising the construction
of temporary facilities for a company that moves around a lot.
Another facility manager may set up communication systems for
national and worldwide events.
Most people don't think of those kinds of responsibilities when
they think of facility management. Traditionally, managing a facility
was only associated with operations and maintenance duties. Today,
a vast array of responsibilities have come to be associated with
the facility management profession. That opens up opportunities
for ambitious facility managers who are on the cutting edge of
this career's changing outlook. For example, a conscientious facility
manager might discuss with the CEO the dual benefits of the decrease
in overhead costs and increased productivity associated with alternative
officing strategies. This integrated approach is necessitated
by the ever-changing business climate in which companies are continually
trying to cut their costs. Facility managers who work as a team
with other professionals in their company can help reduce operating
costs and enable a company to commit more resources to generating
revenues.
The impact on a company's bottom line isn't the only thing a
facility manager considers, however. Facility managers have witnessed
an increase in their responsibilities for providing a safe and
effective workplace for employees. For example, facility managers
have instituted programs for better building air quality. Expanded
knowledge of violence in the workplace has prompted facility managers
to upgrade building security measures. The passage of the Americans
With Disabilities Act in 1991 has compelled facility managers
to come up with innovative ways to make workspaces more accessible
to people with disabilities.
As the role of facility managers expands, their numbers continue
to increase. More colleges and universities are offering course
work and degree plans in facility management. For example, George
Mason University in Virginia offers a professional certificate
in facility management. Michigan State University in East Lansing
has a master of arts degree in interior design and human environment
with a concentration in facility design and management.
In an effort to increase respect for this growing field, IFMA
has instituted a certification program for facility managers.
This program tests the knowledge and experience of facility managers
through a comprehensive exam that focuses on eight competency
areas. After becoming a Certified Facility Manager, individuals
must take part in continuing education and professional development
activities to maintain their certification and ensure they stay
up-to-date with the latest technologies and strategies.
Whether a facility manager works for a large multi-building
corporation or a small company experiencing growing pains, facility
management offers the chance to work hard at something worth doing.
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