Category: FM Perspectives

FM Perspectives provides a platform for leaders and change-makers of the facilities management community to share their thoughtful insights and opinions.

Hedging Energy Inflation: Why Renewables Are the Ultimate Risk Management Tool

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  With the increasing energy supply volatility today, renewable power is one of the key differentiators for commercial and industrial facilities in managing operational cost fluctuations. Integrating solar or wind power into a building energy […]

The Most Expensive Facility Problem Is the One You Keep Fixing

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  Facility teams often know their problem assets long before the budget does. A rooftop unit that trips every few weeks, a loading dock leveler that repeatedly falls out of adjustment, or a washroom plumbing […]

The Execution Gap: Smart Buildings Still Fail When People Are in the Loop

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  The smart buildings industry has made significant investments in sensors, dashboards, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). By 2030, this investment is projected to exceed $200 billion. Over 70% of new commercial […]

The Building Whisperers Are Retiring. What Happens to What They Know?

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  If you manage a big portfolio of buildings, you know exactly who I’m talking about. These are the veteran engineers who can walk into a mechanical room, listen for half a minute, and immediately […]

State vs. Federal Workplace Safety: What to Know as the Regulatory Ground Shifts

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  With the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expected to stay on the rulemaking sidelines over the next few years, states are moving in different directions regarding workplace safety. Some are tightening their […]

Why Modern Facilities Management Must Pivot from Manual to Automated Fire Safety

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  For decades, facilities management has remained relatively static: protect the building envelope, manage HVAC, and ensure critical safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are maintained. However, the landscape is shifting. As infrastructure becomes more […]

5 Questions Facilities Managers Should Ask Before Trusting AI with HVAC Optimization

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up in more conversations about HVAC energy savings. That is not surprising. Heating and cooling are expensive, controls data is increasingly available, and many buildings still have room for […]

AI‑Powered HVAC: The First Step Toward Future‑Ready Buildings

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  HVAC is fundamental to keeping commercial spaces safe, comfortable, and productive. Yet with soaring energy bills, increasingly erratic weather patterns, and much tougher building performance benchmarks, facilities managers must balance strict temperature and air-quality […]

Is Predictive Maintenance Reliable Enough to Be the Future of the FM Industry?

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  For decades, facilities management leaders have attempted to bridge the gap between preventative and reactive maintenance—now, the rapid onset of new technologies gives providers vastly improved methods of detecting when systems may be at […]

The Strategic Necessity of Staff Training for Skilled Trades

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.  In 2026, the skilled trades are facing a reality check that is impossible to ignore: A significant rift has opened between the priorities of organizational leaders and the priorities of their employees, especially as […]