Voice of the Facility Manager

Wednesday 10th May 2023 marks World Facilities Management Day. It’s a day to recognise the often-overlooked contributions of people involved in facilities management and maintenance around the world, at a time when the job has never been so challenging. The contribution facility managers bring to an organisation is often hidden in the background, as when done well it can be almost invisible to other teams and colleagues.

To mark World Facilities Management Day, MRI Software is encouraging FM professionals to have their say about the challenges of their role and the future of their industry, by taking part in its inaugural Voice of the Facilities Manager survey.

The FM sector has faced multiple once-in-a-lifetime challenges since 2020

It’s been tough few years for FM practitioners, as global economic and political shifts have led to fundamental changes in the way we all live, work and play.

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven significant changes in how we use workspaces. Facilities managers are having to adapt their practices to suit today’s more flexible building usage requirements, from hot desking and flexi office space to mixed-use and hybrid developments. Hygiene and wellbeing also remain high on the agenda even as the immediate impact of the pandemic eases, meaning that cleaning, air quality and maintenance have never been so important.

Targets set by the Australian government to be net zero in emissions by 2050, along with an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, have elevated energy efficiency to a board-level discussion topic. Increasingly stringent compliance and ESG requirements also continue to put pressure on FM professionals, both in terms of their day-to-day tasks and the data and records they maintain.

Recruitment also remains a challenge in the hybrid workplace many of us operate in, with many organisations struggling to find or retain the employees they need to meet all these demands.

Technology is a lifeline – but only if it’s used the right way

With ever more responsibilities being placed in APAC upon increasingly stretched teams, it’s never been more important to ensure that FM departments have the support and tools they need to thrive.

Digital technology is the first port of call for many FM teams hoping to streamline their operations and maximise performance, with innovations like Internet of Things sensors offering the potential to more effectively deploy resources, unlock new energy efficiency savings and reduce costs.

For many in the FM space, however, the perceived complexity and high cost of implementing new technologies can seem overwhelming, and keeping up with the latest technology trends can feel like just one more job on a never-ending to-do list.

At MRI Software we regularly speak to facilities management teams about the realities they face when trying to select and implement the best technology for their needs, and we understand that it’s far from a straightforward process. That’s why we’re launching our new Voice of the Facilities Manager report, to gather data on the challenges faced by FM professionals and offer actionable insights into how these can be addressed, and the role technology could play in this process.

Have your say: take part in the Voice of the Facilities Manager survey

MRI Software’s Voice of the Facilities Manager survey aims to shine a light on the challenges faced by FM professionals, as well as the approaches they’re leveraging to meet those challenges.

By taking a deep dive into the realities faced by FM teams, from the aspects of their role they find most fulfilling to the technology they’re using to support them in their roles, MRI Software aims to uncover insights that could help drive the future direction of the sector.

MRI Software is inviting facilities management professionals to share their thoughts and insights in the inaugural Voice of the Facilities Manager survey. The results will be collated and published later in the year as the MRI Software Voice of the Facilities Manager report, with actionable insights to help facilities managers achieve their objectives.