Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Skilled trades are considered a strong foundation for a facilities management career. As the U.S. confronts a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, the Lowe’s Foundation announced an expanded $250 million commitment to help train and develop 250,000 tradespeople by 2035 through its Gable Grants program. This announcement follows a $100 million initiative from financial giant BlackRock to support the next […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. UConn Stadium Makeover Among other things, March is known for the beginning of spring, Women’s History Month, and of course, college basketball. As both its men’s and women’s teams fought their way to the March Madness Final […]
Unplanned downtime is one of the most expensive problems a facility can face. According to ABB’s Value of Reliability report, two-thirds of companies deal with unplanned downtime at least once a month, at a median cost of $125,000 per hour. Electrical system failures are a leading contributor to that figure, yet the vast majority are […]
It’s here! It’s finally here! After brutal temps pummeled much of the country during winter, March 20th marks the first official day of spring. For facilities managers, the warmer weather provides opportunities to tackle tasks delayed during the cold and to give everything a nice refresh. However, the new season also poses some challenges like […]
The $3 trillion global facilities management (FM) industry supports employee and occupant experience, business continuity, enterprise resilience, and more. The field is also constantly evolving and adapting to economic shifts, digital transformation, and other factors. According to the recent JLL Global State of Facilities Management Report, three key trends for industry stakeholders to stay on […]
Cold snaps don’t always arrive with a major storm. A quick drop in temperature after a mild stretch can be enough to stress vulnerable piping, especially in perimeter zones and low-circulation spaces. For facilities management teams, a frozen or burst pipe can turn into tenant disruption, safety exposure, and avoidable downtime in a matter of […]
Editor’s note: Originally published in 2025, this FM Perspectives op-ed is being reposted in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (observed March 8). 22: The percentage of women in the global FM labor force. 45: The average age of women in FM. These two pieces of data are from IFMA’s “Women in Facility Management: A […]
Workplace violence is often viewed as an HR, legal, or security issue. But long before a concern reaches those departments, the earliest signs frequently appear in the spaces facilities managers oversee every day. Because they move throughout the building, interact with staff and contractors, and understand the normal rhythms of a workplace, facilities teams are […]
For years, the phrases “skilled trades” and “manual labor” have been synonymous with one another, making electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC technicians professions one would not associate with advanced technology or artificial intelligence (AI). However, this perception is evolving as more trade workers experience the tangible benefits of advanced technology. An August 2025 survey from […]
Although facilities management often gets pigeonholed, the all-encompassing job goes well beyond maintenance. As Keri Steers, a regional facilities manager at Dutch Bros Coffee, explains, “Facilities management isn’t just about fixing things; it’s about supporting people, protecting a brand, and driving efficiency.” Steers has worked in the FM industry for nearly a decade and joined […]