We often call facility management the fall-in profession, meaning most people do not come to it through formal degreed programs or training. They literally fall into it.
For example, consider the administrative assistant who told me she became the facility manager because she was the person answering the phone when occupants had complaints. She was solutions-oriented and could figure out the best way to solve problems. I also think of the nun whose journey into facility management started because she knew how to operate the thermostat.
As the facility management profession evolves and the span of responsibilities grows and as we expand formal education and training programs, the increasing complexity of the profession points to the need for common ground and good resources for organizing and improving performance.
Two very important resources for managers looking to keep pace with this evolution are the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for facility management and the High Performance Buildings Guide.
The goal of the ISO is to ensure the safety, quality and reliability of products and services.
The facility management profession, one of the most adaptable and expanding professions, has evolved from Industrial Revolution thinking when the focus was on fixing what was broken to now having structured maintenance programs that incorporate reliability centered maintenance concepts to optimize resources.
Beyond that mindset change, the facility management profession has expanded from focusing on localized systems care to meeting the organization’s needs for capital planning, project management, energy and water management, compliance reporting, strategic planning, outsourcing, event management, and real estate and portfolio management, among the many top-of-mind issues facing managers.
All of this change meant the time was ripe for structure and standardization. Keeping in mind the ISO’s fundamental driving question — What is the best way of doing this? — people in and around the facility management profession came together about 10 years ago under the ISO umbrella to craft a framework that would promote consistency, safety and common ground.
For this rapidly changing and growing fall-in profession, this effort was welcome news.
ISO uses a structured approach to creating standards that features technical committees comprised of international members to build each standard. For facility management — the ISO 41000 category — the technical committee is TC267.
So far, representatives from 53 countries have worked together to produce 11 facility management standards. The foundational standard, Standard 41001, covers the essentials of facility management and promotes a process approach that is measurable and repeatable and promotes consistency in service delivery to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
But the process is not just about measuring performance. It also is about aligning what facilities provide with what organizations need.
This year, the TC267 team has been working to update the ISO 41001 framework to incorporate current trends and future needs as they are understood through a modern lens. This includes aligning with other ISO management standards, and it supports the well-being of people and their interaction with the environment. The updated standard is expected to be published in late 2025 or early 2026.
Additional facility management standards that have been published under ISO 41000 are:
Two additional standards are in development:
ISO 41002. This standard will address the development of the facility management organization by providing guidance on the way the organization is structured, identifying operational roles and the way tasks are allocated.
So many managers are looking for guidance on these issues. Some managers want to compare how their team is doing, other managers are looking for ideas on improvement, and still others want validation to understand if they are doing things right. Managers who find themselves in one of these categories should keep an eye out for this standard.
ISO 41021. This standard will offer guidance for maintenance management. That standard will look at a life-cycle approach for delivery of a maintenance strategy, which is another much needed and often sought area of insight for facility managers.
The High Performance Building Guide is another great resource. Managers who have worked in the federal government over the last decade or so might know it as the Sustainable Facilities Tool. It was developed by the U.S. General Services Administration as a comprehensive resource that would promote good practices for building performance to achieve high performance goals. The guide, recently taken over by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), goes beyond the normal expectations of energy efficiency by delving into procurement, waste management and human health and wellness. The guide also provides information under the broad headings of energy, water and health.
For managers who want to learn about HVAC systems and operations, the guide can walk them through the parts of a system, complete with graphics. Or perhaps the goal is to know more about getting started with net zero. The guide provides an effective way to build that knowledge. For managers who are delving into the way building systems affect human health — think windows and views, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting, etc. — look no further.
One of my favorite features is the ability to compare options, such as different types of lighting or overhead HVAC distribution vs. underfloor distribution. The guide provides best practices for operating building systems, including financial impact and life cycle. Users also can explore a 3D building by system or space type.
There are practical knowledge nuggets throughout the guide that can be helpful, especially for managers who are newer to facilities and equipment. The guide also allows users to step into a variety of roles, including facility manager, procurement professional, vendor and project manager. The guide provides insights and recommendations for considerations tailored to each role. In our increasingly complex world of mandates and compliance requirements, this guide is certainly one that belongs on a facility manager’s list of top resources.
The facility management industry is exciting and continues its rapid progression. An industry that draws people from so many different backgrounds needs help to remain organized and consistent, so managers can run facilities efficiently and effectively on behalf of their organizations. The updated ISO 41001, as well as its companion standards, and the High Performance Buildings Guide, are two great resources that all managers can use to meet their performance goals.
Laurie Gilmer is president and chief operating officer of Facility Engineering Associates. Gilmer is a published author and instructor, is past chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors and serves on the National Alliance for High-Performance Building Operations leadership team.
