The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has issued the standard ISO 41001:2018 «Facility management – Management Systems – Requirements with application guidance».
The adoption of this standard provides answers to the most pressing and common questions:
- Why is real estate maintenance an important and integral task of any organization?
- Why does the operation of such facilities play an important role in the organization of the workspace?
- If Facility Management exists, then is there also a facility manager? Who is the facility manager?
What was previously defined as the position of a “supply manager” has now been reclassified as a facility manager. Facility manager is a specialist who ensures the correct and high-quality operation of the facility. His responsibilities include utilities, interior, exterior, security and safety, maintenance and repair work, catering, cleaning, administrative work, contracting and control of contractors and much more. “A man who wears many hats” is a very accurate expression that emphasizes the versatility of this specialist.
Currently, more and more managers no longer divide their business into core and non-core activities and are increasingly thinking about the need for such a specialist in the company. But where does one find such an omniscient specialist?
According to paragraph 1, the standard is intended for use by all organizations (or parts of the organization), regardless of the type, size or nature of activities or locations and for a range of diverse services.
Services are divided into 2 groups:
- The first group refers to the physical part of the building, its infrastructure (heating, lighting, ventilation, current and major repairs, placement of equipment, replacement of obsolete equipment, etc.).
- The second group – services to improve the comfort and convenience of staff (cleaning, security, catering, etc.).
Is facility management related to the concept of sustainable development?
Yes, within the framework of the confluence of three constituent parts of sustainable development, facility management addresses the following tasks:
- Economic component: optimization of costs during the operation of the building. This includes saving money on electricity, water, heat, use of energy efficient equipment, concluding the most profitable contracts with contractors and others.
- Environmental component: forecasting and preventing emergencies, and in the event of such situations, prompt response as soon as possible to maintain business continuity.
- Social component: creation of a proper production environment (organization of jobs, moral climate in the team, maintenance of conditions (temperature, ventilation, etc.).
Only by joining forces do we have a greater impact on achieving sustainable development goals