Debate on FM

 

So far, Facilities Management Business could not prove to be an essential party in real estate industry; which widely use in-house model to support both life and necessities for occupiers and end-users of the built environment.. Therefore, it does not mark equivalent position as construction in economic breakdown, despite it costs more than five folds of the construction value during novelty investment term (50 years) of the property life cycle..

Yes, there are strong attempts within the developing countries to formalize the role of the facilities management within the economic and legal structures, but both developing and underdeveloped has weak presence of FM Epistemic foundations; despite that larger assets and property values that are recognized within..

That was my post on Linkedin, and following are the responses:

Mohammed Khalf Allah,LEED GA©,PMP®,MSc,DEWA and DM Approved 1st degree connection1stFacilities Management/Energy Professional

14h

I think the approach need to consider that the economic value of maintaining the assets are very essential to preserve the assets value and to withhold the wasted resources in breakdown and depreciated equipment.
The problem is the above costs aren’t calculated or estimated property, the value is unseen unless the breakdown occurred and the damage recognized.
In developed countries the real estate made a huge growth due to proper facilities management practices.
Anyhow, without FM real estate industry is a hectic business, as all assets will depreciate and will lost it value dramatically and will cause a huge negative impact on built environment and occupiers welfare

Mohamed Abdelhamied Bakhit 1st degree connection1stCEO TAD TFM

2h

I‘m not sure I can agree with that!

Esmat Mohamed 1st degree connection1stMEFMA CERTIFIED FM Engineer

What we need to add in facilities management to make it essential part in active/productive in economic according to your idea ?!
I believe the segregation is quite poor to identify the rules of FM contributions.

What is meaning behind constructing and investing lift or BMS system unless there is way to sustain and avail them within meaningful business growth?!

Youssif Hagibrahim CIWFM 1st degree connection1stCIWFM, AssocRICS, CFM ®, FMP ®, SFP®, ADCD Competent ENGINEER

4d

That is very interesting topic, I would like to share some useful literature that would support our presence in the built environment and having the greater share of the life cycle.
Building and maintenance costs account for approximately half of overall life cycle costs over a 50-year period. Perhaps more surprising is the finding that cleaning's life cycle costs are nearly twice as high as energy and water supply costs (Haugbølle and Raffnsøe, 2019). Hence, the importance of maintaining a building's life cycle cost focuses on the operation and maintenance phase, which accounts for 50 to 80 percent of the total cost, whereas the design and construction stages account for 20 to 50 percent of the total cost. (Suweero, Moungnoi and Charoenngam, 2017; Chew, Conejos and Asmone, 2017).
While, collaboration and combining product and process creativity are the most frequently reported benefits of facilities management, whereas (Georgiadou, 2019). The need for FM considerations to form part of the current interventions to fight the pandemic has increased (Amos, Au-Yong and Musa, 2020).
I agree with you in empowering facilities management in the early stages of construction planning, and I can support my claim according to (Pilanawithana and Sandanayake, 2017) who pointed out the facilities Manager's vital role at the Strategic Definition stage is to advise the Client on cost-effective building expansion options. Furthermore, briefing the Client's requirements is a primary responsibility of a Facilities Manager during the Preparation and Brief stage.

This my Reply

Thank you colleagues and gentlemen; for such useful exchanges of views and experiences.. Without, Epistemia will standstill..

As a practicing professional and researcher; I can see three "Global" topics to summarize:

1- Since the 2005, Saxon and his team had launched the debate about standardization of FM feasibility; which still a focus of research.. Questioning FM as an "insignificant" ingredient of Service Sector; while construction is an "influential" one of Industry Sector.. These are facts; while both monetary and operational values of FM are literally far bigger and critical to our lives than construction..

2- During the novelty life cycle (till 1st total refurbishment) direct engineering components in FM are less than 10% as cost of efforts; yet more than as 30% cost of assets and spare-parts.. Despite how engineers rule FM in developing countries, they come 2nd or 3rd seniority level in developed ones (kindly check BOMA); whereas other 20 specialties require different experiences.. Accordingly, number of resources, management and training are focusing and constituting the lasting momentum.. FM is not Engineering; but Management..

3- Among "our" developing and underdeveloped communities; we have two parallel goals to contribute to SDG #11; (considering how FM contributes to other goals such as #1, #3, #4, #6, and #13) which are (A) Spread rule and effectiveness of FM to deprived housing, educational, industrial and commercial properties; including tourism, heritage and literally all built environment.. FM engagements should be literally "fought" from initiation through construction decommissioning.. (B) Encourage the professional buddies to be established and function; not only as a incubator of the industry, but also enhance and accredit performance and practice.. FM is not a profession of who hasn't one..!
FM Professionals should avoid the pitfalls of practicing PM, Project Management..!!

One Last note...
It is well known that creating an industry job vacancy would require in average US$50,000; while in FM it will be $2-3K (mathematically).. This is how FM can contribute for employment and development...

Certainly, costs would vary by location, technology and culture; which should be encouraged to be investigated further.. I believe this element is a national interest to reshape our urban communities..
Regretfully; in our part of the world; many professionals seek certifications for job purposes; with no true contribution for epistemic spectrum.. Despite the fact that the knowledge process start with reliable and correct records of data and events.. Then some brilliant would process and generate the formula.. This is how it typically works..
This is also justify the developing and underdeveloped countries, due to the short culture of doing business.. or maintain it..

It is true that most practices, in many parts of the world would commission the FM processing after construction completion; which is absolutely wrong.. and against any sustainable logic.. Globally; FM associations and professionals would work hard to change such trend..

I remember in 2004; we had established the process to get IDAMA (as a sister co. at TECOM) in reviewing and approving process of both Design and construction.. It was a success; which no political or business will was there to continue.. !!

Thanks again for the thoughtful responses.. Appreciate..!