In the ephemeral world of
technology, the only constant is change. The realms of Facilities Management and
Built Environment are not immune to this adage. As we sail into 2023 and
beyond, several mega technology trends are on the horizon, ready to redefine
the traditional paradigms of FM and BE. These trends are not merely transient
waves but are the harbingers of a more sustainable, efficient, and
technologically advanced landscape.
Business sustainability continues
to rise in importance in the FM domain. It's perceived from two vantage points
- minimizing environmental impact and fostering sustainable growth. The onus is
on Facility Managers to spearhead initiatives that resonate with these
sustainability goals. The journey towards sustainability embarks from energy
conservation, with digital tools like sustainability dashboards playing a
pivotal role in reducing carbon footprints and augmenting energy efficiency1.
Digital Twin technology is gradually becoming
the linchpin in FM and BE. It serves as a real-time digital replica of physical
assets, enabling a comprehensive view of facilities. This technology is
instrumental in better space planning, maintenance, and managing the property
portfolio, especially in the face of challenges like social distancing or
hybrid work shifts. When married with IoT, Digital Twins can significantly pare
down maintenance and energy costs, thereby inching closer to net-zero targets1.
IoT is not a novel term in the FM
lexicon, but its potential is yet to be fully unleashed. The suite of IoT
technologies, encompassing sensors, smart meters, and connected devices, is a
treasure trove of data. This data, when harnessed wisely, can drive better
decision-making, streamline maintenance, and overhaul operational processes.
The promise of IoT lies in its ability to deliver real-time insights, automate
mundane tasks, and flag issues before they morph into major problems12.
Predictive Maintenance, powered
by predictive analytics, is a step towards proactive management. It's about
foreseeing asset failures before they occur and devising strategies to mitigate
them. The U.S Department of Energy underscores the cost-effectiveness of
predictive maintenance, which can lead to substantial savings over preventive
and reactive maintenance. This trend is not just about cost-saving but
extending asset longevity and ensuring uninterrupted operations2.
In the modern era, data is the
lifeblood of informed decision-making. Business Intelligence (BI) tools are
empowering FM teams to derive actionable insights from raw performance data.
These insights span across work orders, workflows, assets, and service providers,
thereby enabling better management and performance benchmarking. The automation
of data analysis and presentation is a significant leap towards optimizing time
and resources2.
Cost Management: The Tightrope Walk
The year 2022 witnessed a surge
in inflation rates and supply chain disruptions, pushing Facilities Managers to
devise cost-cutting strategies. These strategies are twofold - managing current
costs and averting future cost escalations. Whether it's pre-ordering equipment
or renegotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs), the focus is on ensuring
operational efficiency without compromising service quality. This trend is a
testament to the agility and adaptability that the FM domain needs to exhibit
amidst economic flux2.
These mega trends are the building blocks of a technologically enriched, sustainable, and efficient FM and BE landscape. They exemplify the confluence of technology and sustainability, which is imperative to navigate the complex, ever-evolving milieu of Facilities Management and Built Environment.
Field Circle: 11 Trends to Watch in Facilities Management in 2023 and Beyond1.
JLLT: Facilities management trends to watch in 20232.
