History, Evolution, and Definitions of Facility Management

Historical Development of Facility Management

Early Beginnings: The roots of FM can be traced back to ancient civilizations where the management of buildings and infrastructure was crucial for societal functioning.

Modern Era: The professionalization of FM began in the mid-20th century, particularly with the rise of office buildings and complex industrial facilities requiring specialized management.

Growth of the Discipline: FM evolved as a distinct discipline in the 1980s, with the formation of professional bodies and the introduction of FM-related academic programs.

Evolution of FM Practices

Technological Advancements: The integration of technology, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM), has transformed FM practices, enabling more efficient management of facilities.

Sustainability Focus: There has been a growing emphasis on sustainability, with FM professionals playing a key role in implementing energy-efficient practices and green building initiatives.

Globalization: As organizations expand globally, FM practices have had to adapt to different cultural, regulatory, and environmental contexts.

Key Definitions

Facility Management (FM) is defines by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) as a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure the functionality, comfort, safety, and efficiency of the built environment by integrating people, place, process, and technology.

Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) defines Facility Management as the practice of co-ordinating the physical workspace with the people and work of an organisation, integrating the principles of business administration, architecture, and the behavioural and engineering sciences.

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.” ~ ISO 41011:2017