Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
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 […]
Earth Day is a good reminder that facilities managers play an important role in managing environmental impact. Daily operational decisions can shape how sustainable a building is. Managers can use this holiday to develop a clear and practical plan to improve energy efficiency and support long-term environmental goals. Conduct a Facility-Wide Energy Audit An energy […]
As the United States grapples with aging building stock and the need for infrastructure modernization, a critical workforce challenge threatens the commercial real estate sector’s ability to maintain, modernize, and operate the built environment. JLL’s latest skilled trades talent research reveals that by 2030, an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades positions for electricians, HVAC technicians, […]
Retail giant Walmart is getting into the facilities management business. The company has launched Upstream Facility Services, a new business that will offer the retailer’s in-house maintenance expertise to other companies nationwide. Leveraging the systems and scale that support thousands of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, Upstream is designed for companies managing complex facility operations, especially […]
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 […]
Four out of five commercial real estate (CRE), workplace, building management, and facilities professionals lack the data they need to make confident space-planning decisions, according to a new report. The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, interviewed 400 decision-makers in the U.S. for Butlr’s “Beyond Occupancy: The State of Office Space 2026” report. The results show […]
Contact with electricity or exposure to it remains one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States, according to an analysis recently released by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). ESFI gathered data on fatal and non-fatal occupational electrical injuries from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Occupational Safety […]
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 […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Water pumps are among the most critical (and most underestimated) assets in modern facilities. They quietly support HVAC systems, boiler feed operations, domestic water supply, wastewater handling, cooling towers, irrigation, fire protection, and sanitation. When pumps operate […]
As winter turns to spring, facilities teams have their work cut out from them transitioning from heat to cooling, ensuring their centralized HVAC system is properly serviced and ready for sustained use. Before shifting all their attention to cooling needs, though, facilities managers should also be mindful of end-of-season maintenance requirements for their heating solutions. […]