A new report from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) highlights the facility management sector’s desire for a data-driven future.
The report, titled Optimizing Building Management With A Lifecycle Approach, explores the crucial role that facility managers can play in fostering better collaboration across the AECO lifecycle.
“Industry fragmentation across the AECO lifecycle has long hindered efficiency,” the report reads. “More collaboration and data sharing are crucial steps toward extending the lifespan of buildings and reducing waste.”
The report included a survey of members of the facility management sector, as well as those in the AEC, real estate, and technology provider professions. Key findings include:
- 96% of facility managers surveyed believe AEC data enhances key processes
- 12% is the average time wasted because of fragmented data
- 70% of all individuals surveyed expect greater collaboration with workplace designers
- 20% plan to invest in digital twins in the next 12 months
“It is well known that facility managers play a key role in ensuring the efficient and safe operation of buildings and infrastructure, helping their organizations push for ever-greater cost efficiency and space optimization,” the report reads. “At the same time, facility managers are starting to find themselves as key stakeholders influencing broader projects such as workplace redesigns, capital upgrades, and renovations, helping to extend the lifespan of buildings.”
Respondents to the report’s survey expect collaboration and communication to improve over the next three years, with 70% predicting more collaboration with workplace designers, reflecting facility managers’ growing influence on workplace redesign and facility upgrades.
In preparation for that future, facility managers are preparing to embrace data and analytics like never before. The findings of the survey indicate that:
- 87% will use more data and analytics to shape decision-making. Facility managers are preparing to leverage data and analytics to enhance their operational processes. By utilizing a wider range of data sets, including current condition data, asset lifecycle data, and budget data, facility managers can make more informed decisions to optimize their facilities’ performance.
- 78% expect to use AI in daily tasks and data analysis. AI technologies have the potential to streamline and automate some processes like fault detection or maintenance scheduling, enabling more efficient operations and resource allocation. Additionally, AI can play a role in data analysis, extracting valuable insights that contribute to improved decision-making.
- 70% anticipate more collaboration with IT departments. As the facility management profession transitions toward a more software-driven future, collaboration with the IT department will become crucial. The IT department is vital in implementing and integrating software systems, data platforms, and analytics tools that support data-driven facility management.
SiteMap®: The Future of Facility Management
New technologies will be necessary to achieve the data-driven future envisioned by the facility managers surveyed in the IFMA report.
That’s why GPRS created SiteMap® (patent pending), a project & facility management application that provides accurate existing condition documentation to protect your assets and people.
SiteMap® gives you control over your communications, workflows, record-keeping, and accountability. It provides a single source of truth capable of aggregating, tagging, geolocating, and layering existing subsurface and above-ground conditions to eliminate information bottlenecks, and reduce mistakes that lead to expensive clashes, change orders, reworks, and even serious injuries.
With SiteMap®, you can see every piece of your facility or project’s puzzle – above and below ground – with exceptional accuracy and state-of-the-art data delivered via drawings, maps, models, photogrammetry, and more. And it’s all at your fingertips 24/7, securely accessible from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, allowing you and your team to plan, design, manage, dig, and ultimately build better.
GPRS SiteMap® team members are currently scheduling live, personal SiteMap® demonstrations. Click below to schedule yours today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Benefits of Underground Utility Mapping?
Having an updated and accurate map of your subsurface infrastructure reduces accidents, budget overruns, change orders, and project downtime caused by dangerous and costly subsurface damage.
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Does SiteMap® Work with my Existing GIS Platform?
SiteMap® allows for exporting of data to SHP, GeoJSON, GeoPackage, and DXF directly from any user’s account that either owns or has a job shared to their account. All these file formats can be imported and utilized by other GIS packages if manually imported by the user. More information can be found at SiteMap.com.
