Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Facilities managers face daunting challenges in the calmest of times, but even more so as emergencies like natural disasters are becoming more frequent. But with the right tools, like a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), FMs can centralize all the information they need in one accessible place. CMMS are likely to become used more in […]
Between the impacts of tariffs, return-to-office mandates, aging infrastructure, and an understaffed workforce, there is undoubtedly much on the minds of facilities managers right now. But which aspects of the job take up the most mental space? A new “Voice of the Facility Manager” report from MRI Software surveyed FMs to gauge top trends and […]
Across the United States, aging schools are in dire need of repair, and for many, patchwork maintenance is the only way to keep facilities operational as administrators and facilities managers balance limited budgets with pressing needs. School budgets are complex, and disparities in funding have become a topic of dispute in the state courts. The […]
Facilities managers are often putting out proverbial fires, leaving less time for those “important but not urgent tasks”—like upskilling and refreshing technical knowledge. But these “non-urgent,” small tasks, like preventive maintenance, can balloon into much bigger problems over time. According to Siemens’ “True Cost of Downtime 2024” report, the world’s top 500 companies lost 11% […]
Facilities managers in 2025 are dealing with overwhelming workloads and increasing responsibilities, plus budget constraints, according to a recent industry survey. It’s often a high-stakes job that feels around the clock, and FMs have cited mental health as a top challenge. So, with facilities managers managing so much with fewer resources, how do they deal […]
The right vendor relationship can save facilities managers from spending a lot of time toiling away at issues better fixed by specialists. Determining which vendor to work with can be a long process that involves many steps, only adding to the growing complexity of facilities management. These soft skills that involve negotiation, communication, and collaboration […]
On May 14, facilities managers across the globe get the credit they’re due on World FM Day. This year’s theme, “Resilience in Action: Thriving in a World of Change,” shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes who keep our built environments safe and efficient, no matter the challenge. Much of the facilities manager’s work goes […]
Not one day in facilities management is the same—which often means too many to-do lists. With all the workstreams you manage, building better systems to get organized can save you time and future stress down the line. Harpreet Saini, CEO of We Buy Houses in Metro Detroit, says organizational systems she’s implemented have doubled the […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. Asbestos went from being a “magic material” in the 20th century for its ability to resist heat and corrosion—to being banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Approximately 30 million homes and buildings in the U.S. […]
The job outlook for facilities managers is faster on average than other jobs in the U.S., with median salaries in the six-figure range. It didn’t start that way. When facilities management became a career path, the role itself was simpler. As the job becomes more varied and technical, an array of educational institutions have begun […]