facility management
Facility management is the practice of coordinating the physical workplace with the people and work of the organization. It integrates the principles of business administration, architecture and the behavioral and engineering sciences.
Professionals
New technologies, security issues and health concerns have a major impact on the importance of and need for facility professionals.
Facility professionals must be equipped with a tremendous amount of knowledge and the ability to cope with and solve a multitude of complex problems and challenges. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the professional association for facility managers, has grouped these responsibilities into several major functional areas:
- Long-Range and Annual Facility Planning
- Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Planning
- Facility Financial Forecasting
- Real Estate Acquisition and/or Disposal
- Work Specifications, Installation and Space Management
- Architectural and Engineering Planning and Design
- New Construction and/or Renovation
- Maintenance and Operations Management
- Telecommunications Integration, Security and Administrative Services
Traditionally, managing a facility was associated only with operations and maintenance duties. Today, a vast array of responsibilities are part of facility management, including providing a safe, environmentally friendly and effective workplace for winery employees and customers.