Commercial Facility Management in 2023 and Beyond – Trends to Look Out for

In the intricate web of modern business operations, Facility Management emerges as the cornerstone of efficiency and productivity. It encompasses a diverse array of disciplines aimed at maintaining and optimizing the built environment, enabling organizations to create seamless and conducive spaces for their operations. From overseeing maintenance and security to handling space utilization and sustainability initiatives, Facility Management orchestrates the symphony of a functional workplace. Its importance lies not only in preserving assets and reducing operational costs but also in cultivating a safe, comfortable, and agile environment that directly impacts employee wellbeing and customer experiences. As the global business environment gets transformed by technology and new priorities, Facility Management is likely to bear witness to a host of emerging trends.

1. Health and Hygiene to Stay Immensely Relevant

In the realm of Facility Management, the symbiotic relationship between health and hygiene is an undeniable catalyst for sustained relevance, especially post-COVID. As companies navigate the evolving landscape of work and customer expectations, prioritizing health and hygiene isn’t just a choice – it is a strategic imperative that directly impacts organizational success and reputation.

1. 2. Monetizing Infrastructure Assets, Shrinking Need for Space, Rising Demand for Flexible Spaces

   Organizations typically lack a comprehensive understanding of their available space, encompassing aspects like quality, condition, and type. The demolition or decommissioning of surplus space presents challenges and limited feasibility. The shared workspace model offers a prime illustration of how vacant commercial spaces can be effectively shared and leveraged for revenue. The concept extends to businesses and retail venues subletting areas to cafes and dining establishments as can be seen on public services such as railways etc. These adaptations not only optimize costs but also align with evolving workforce preferences, with Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Survey 2021 (India) revealing that 74% of employees desire remote and flexible work options. And with reduced space needs from flexible and hybrid work options, organizations’ office space requirements are shrinking – both in terms of volume (total space) and the need for space per person.

   Facility Management needs to adjust to this evolving landscape, as it becomes pivotal for enterprises to capitalize on these changes to foster growth, operate flexibly and reduce costs. Errors, even minor, in calculations of space requirement can result in unnecessary increased costs.

3. Reactive to Preventative to Predictive Maintenance

The management of infrastructure often involves a reactive approach, responding to issues as they arise from complaints and malfunctions. Preventative maintenance, aka scheduled maintenance, involves regular upkeep of facility assets to reduce the risk of equipment breakdown. As sensor technology advances with usage of IoT, monitoring various facility components is becoming commonplace. This shift enables organizations to move away from traditional measures to data-driven, real-time actions that predict maintenance requirements. While sensors observe equipment, intelligent technology gathers sufficient information to anticipate the timing of potential malfunctions. This enables organizations to identify the most economical and least disruptive time to temporarily deactivate a component for maintenance.

4. Focus on Green Buildings and Sustainable Building Practices

Updating older structures or new setups with sustainable features to achieve ‘Triple Bottom Line’ results – an accounting framework with social, environmental, and economic aspects to create greater business value – as opposed to reporting just financial numbers. This involves cutting use of energy and water through IoT sensors, increasing reliance on renewable energy, and practicing responsible sourcing and recycling. Adopting energy-efficient systems like advanced HVAC units, demand-controlled ventilation, and LED lighting can amplify savings. While the upfront planning demands consideration, the resultant savings can be substantial.

5. Delivering User Experiences

Connectivity, booking spaces, service requests, and visitor management all contribute to positive outcomes at the workplace. Over the years, business leaders have intended to integrate mobile applications to enhance employee navigation within the workspace and facilitate collaboration. Vital functions, such as dining and social interactions, require adaptable and collaborative space designs that enhance workplace experiences. Younger generations prefer relaxed and collaborative workplaces such as Coffee Shop and Hotel type of experiences.

In summary, maintaining awareness of the continuously changing realm of facility management is essential for enterprises seeking success in an ever-shifting global landscape. Embracing trends like eco-friendly methodologies, seamless incorporation of cutting-edge technologies, and workplaces designed around employee well-being is sure to lead to heightened operational effectiveness, reduced expenses, and overall increased efficiency. By harnessing the potential of these trends, facility managers can convert obstacles into advantageous prospects, crafting environments that not only fulfill current requirements but also predict future necessities. In this journey of adaptation and innovation, a proactive and strategic approach will be the compass that guides organizations toward a successful and sustainable future in facility management.

Author: Shivam Agarwal,

Assistant Consultant, Strategy Consulting

Image courtesy: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash