Management and Innovation for a Sustainable Built Environment

20 23 June 2011, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISBN: 9789052693958

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: PROPOSALS FOR PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT

AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN
SOUTH AFRICA
PROF DRIES (A.C.) HAUPTFLEISCH
Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management,
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein, South Africa
[email protected]
PROF BASIE (J.J.P.) VERSTER
Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management,
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein, South Africa
[email protected]
Abstract
Purpose
Globally the development of property, being part of the creation of fixed investment and
wealth, is taking place unabated. The development of an universally acknowledge profession,
designated to manage and optimise the utilisation of the ever compounding fixed investments
in the products of the collective built environment, is observed. However, in South Africa this
is still in an early formative stage. The objectives of this research are to contextualize
facilities management by defining it, to identify bodies of knowledge/competencies and to
establish a suitable educational knowledge framework and to address existing shortcomings.
From a sustainability perspective serious shortcomings exist in many parts of the world and
particularly so in South Africa and the rest of Africa. The sustainable utilization of buildings
and infrastructure is seriously jeopardized due to underdeveloped facilities management.
Design
The problem at hand is to extract, from the present international practice of facilities
management, a body of knowledge and secondly to formulate the results in terms of suitable
tertiary and continuing education programmes to address shortcomings in South Africa.
Findings
The results of this research found application in the enhancement of an existing short
continuing education programme and the introduction of a new three-year tertiary education
programme in a school for the built environment.
Value
The value to be realised out of the structuring and presentation of formal educational
programmes in facilities management is that a neglected area of the built environment family
of disciplines are being addressed and elevated in South Africa, to what is fast becoming the
norm elsewhere in the world. Professional facilities management can make a key
contribution to create sustainable utilization of the products of the built environment.
Practical implications
By offering formal education in facilities management a meaningful contribution will be
made to satisfy the obvious dire needs of the private, and particularly the public sector, to

optimize the utilisation of the products of the built environment through continuous
improvement of those facilities in a scientific and sustainable fashion, to the best advantage
of all the stakeholders.
Keywords:, Body of knowledge, built environment, facilities management, sustainability,
tertiary and continuing education.
INTRODUCTION
Investment in properties, as fixed assets, is growing continuously internationally. These
property development activities are served by a multitude of highly skilled professionals such
as engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers, project managers, town
planners, land surveyors and others. The development of a universally acknowledged
profession of the same standing, designated to manage and optimise the utilisation of the ever
compounding fixed investments in the products of the collective built environment
(buildings, engineering structures and infrastructure), is necessary. This situation may be
explained by the fact that, in the present day accepted vocabulary, facilities management as a
managerial concept developed in the United States of America only during the 1970s, when
a Facilities Management Institute was founded and the first known formal symposium was
held in Washington DC in 1989 (Binder, 1989). Though these events started approximately
30 years ago, the development and spread were slow, and in comparison with the other built
environment professions, it is still in its infancy. However, although perhaps lacking some of
the prestige associated with other professions, there are reasons to believe that facilities
management is one of the fastest growing new professions in the built environment.
Sustainability in ensuring that buildings and infrastructure are fit for purpose is paramount.
Furthermore, it is becoming evident that facilities management is in the process of becoming
a driving force, not only of scientific management and optimisation of fixed assets, but as an
initiator of development in the built environment.
Perhaps not adequately acknowledged in the past, is that facilities management deals with
57,5% of the life cycle costs of a building. See Figure 1. Although this % is not universal for
all facilities, it underscores the importance of facilities management as discipline. Although
life cycle costing is often sighted as a knowledge area in facilities management, it could be
argued that the extend to which life cycle costing rests with facilities managers may be under
estimated and warrants further research.
Although facilities management is a new profession, it is observed that comprehensive
sources of literature are constantly being developed. Also noteworthy is the associations that
have been established globally. Although in its infancy in South Africa, in some countries
tertiary education in facilities management is developing rapidly, supported by research
activities.
The terms facility (singular) and facilities (plural) will be used synonymously, as will also be
evident from referenced sources, although facilities will enjoy preference.

Cleaning &
caretaking, 28.30%

Rates & sewerage,

7%

Fuel, 10.30%

Capital Cost,
42.50%

Routine service,
3%
Replacement &
maintenance,
8.90%

Figure 1: Local authority school life cycle cost (Cloete, 2001a: 178)

LITERATURE SURVEY
Literature was selected by undertaking a web search in order to identify and obtain suitable
works regard facilities management and by identifying and utilising known local South
African works, commonly used by training and education providers. For obvious reasons
all literature available internationally has not been reviewed. A selection was made of
those sources regarded as presenting a fair overview related to this study. The contents of the
following literature have thus been analysed in order to establish what appears to be
representative of a general knowledge profile in literature: Barret and Baldry (2006), Bender
(2002), Best, Langston and de Valence (2003), Cloete (ed) (2001a), Cloete (ed) (2001b),
Cloete (ed) (2002a), Cloete (ed) (2002b), Collins and Porras (2000), Cornwell (1973), Cotts
and Rondeau (2004), Crocker (1990), Gross (2002), Friday and Cotts (1995), Hauptfleisch
(ed) (Volume 1&2) (1999), Hauptfleisch and Sigle (2009), Magee (1988), Means Company
(1996), Occupational Health and Safety Act (2003), Owen (1993), Pearce and Robinson
(2000), Project Management Institute (2004), Robinson (1999), Rondeau, Brown and Lapides
(2006), Seeley (1987), Wang (2010). To this was added those knowledge areas regarded to
be of importance in continuing education programmes and in formal academic degree
programmes.
Table 1 (placed in later section) provides an analysis flowing from surveying the sources as
described above, divided into three categories: Firstly dealing with the contextualising of the
managerial challenge, secondly with the practice of facilities management and thirdly with
property maintenance. The topics contained in Table 1 are in main heading format,
synthesised from comprehensive subdivisions.
It should be noted that the literature survey covers sources from 1973 to 2010 but that the
bulk of it has been published since 2000. For this reason no attempt was made to place the

development of a knowledge profile on a developmental time scale. Figure 2 therefore

represents an attempt to provide a contemporary balance sheet rather than a
developmental pathway.
METHODOLOGY
The problem at hand is to extract a body of knowledge from the present practice of facilities
management, and secondly, to formulate suitable tertiary and continuing education
programmes. This was done through literature study, web-searches and by obtaining
feedback from facilities management practitioners attending continuing education short
courses (in order to create a limited statistical sample), and from non-quantified observations
in practice. A qualitative and quantative survey was conducted amongst stakeholders in order
to obtain their views regarding a proposed three-year tertiary education programme on undergraduate (degree) level. Figure 2 shows the generally perceived position of facilities
management, in context of overall asset management, within an enterprise that holds built
environment assets. This diagramme was tested for general correctness by subjecting it to
assessment by 12 different groups of facility management practitioners taking part in
continuing education short courses over a period of four years.
The general support that it received was taken as indicative of actual facilities management
practice in South Africa, offering some guidance in the creation of a primary body of
knowledge for education.
From Figure 2 (own diagramme) it is clear that the research done was not hypotheses testing.
The intention was to establish current thinking regarding where facilities management could
be placed in the bigger context of asset management, thus contributing towards the
development of academic programmes, pre-empting the needs of industry, resulting in a
structured knowledge profile, validated by a broad group of stakeholders.
DEFINITIONS
Facilities management is defined and analysed in a variety of ways by associations and
authors of books. The following selected definitions are based on a survey conducted via
internet to provide an overview of what facilities management is perceived to be
internationally by facilities management associations:
International Facilities Management Association (IFMA)
IFMA is a very comprehensive association, providing comprehensive input and educational
opportunities in the discipline. Its head office is based in the United States of America
(USA), but it also covers Canada as a North American body. IFMA also has chapters in
other regions in the world. The IFMA (2010) web-page contains the following definition:
Facility management is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure
functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.
The IFMA (2010) web-page also provides a comprehensive structure, summarized below, of
nine competency areas (others may call it knowledge areas, or a body of knowledge):
I
a.

Operations and maintenance

Oversee acquisitions, installation, operation, maintenance and disposition of building
systems

b.
c.

Manage the maintenance of building structures and permanent interiors

Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal of furniture
and equipment

ASSET
MANAGEMENT

PROPERTY
DEVELOPMENT

BUILDINGS/INFRASTRUCTU
RE/CONSTRUCTION
(MAINLY FIXED ASSETS)

PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT

HUMAN RESOURCES
SYSTEMS
VEHICLES
FURNITURE
EQUIPMENT
ETC

INVESTMENT
STRATEGY

STRUCTURE OF PORTFOLIO
STRATEGIC VISION/CREATIVITY/
PLANNING
GEOGRAPHICS/DEMOGRAPHICS
LIFE CYCLE
FINANCE
ETC

FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT

RENT
COLLECTION

OWNER/TENANT RELATIONS
TENANT/CHURN MANAGEMENT
POST ACCUPANCY EVALUATION
ENVIRONMENTAL (SHEQ)
SPACE PLANNING
FM STRATEGY/TACTICS
ETC

MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT
MAINTENANCE (PLANNED)
/REPAIRS/RESTORE/UPGRADE
CLEANING/HYGIENE
ETC

Figure 2: Facilities Management in Context of Asset Management (own diagramme)

d.

Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposition of grounds

and exterior elements

II
a.
b.

Real estate
Manage and implement the real estate master planning process
Manage real estate assets

III
a.
b.

Human and environmental factors

Develop and implement practices that promote and protect health, safety, security,
the quality of work life, the environment and organisational effectiveness
Develop and manage emergency preparedness procedures

IV
a.
b.
c.
d.

Planning and project management

Develop facility plans
Plan and manage all phases of projects
Manage programming and design
Manage construction and relocations

V
a.
b.
c.
d.

Leadership and management

Plan and organise the facility function
Manage personnel assigned to the facility function
Administer the facility function
Manage the delivery of facility services

VI
a.

Finance
Manage the finances of the facility function

VII
a.

Quality assessment and innovation

Manage the process of assessing the quality of services and the facilitys
effectiveness
Manage the benchmarking process
Manage audit activities
Manage developmental efforts of facility services to make innovative improvements
in facilities and facility services

b.
c.
d.

VIII
a.

Communication
Communicate effectively

IX
a.
b.

Technology
Plan, direct, and manage facility management business and operational technologies
Plan, direct, manage and/or support the organisations technological infrastructure

Facilities Management Association (UK) (FMA)

FMA (2010) information from its web-page is limited, but the following definition is
provided:
Facilities Management is located in the Support Services Sector of the UK economy and is
the efficient integration of support activities within the business environment which is
essential to the successful performance of any organisation.
British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM)
BIFM (2010) defines facilities management as follows on its web-page:

Facilities management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and

develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary
activities.
The BIFM (2010) web-page provides the following 20 strategic and operational
competencies:
The Business Organisation
Management Principles
Risk Management
Information and Knowledge Management
Project Management
Personal Leadership
Human Resources Management
Relationships with Suppliers and Specialists
Quality Management
Customer Service
Management of Property
Property and Building Services Maintenance
Space Management
Support Services Operations
Sustainability and Environmental Issues
Energy and Utility Management
Financial Management
Procurement, Contracts and Contract Management
Legislation, Codes, Directives and Regulatory Issues
Facilities Management Development and Trends
Facility Management Association of Australia (FMAA)
The FMAA definition of facility management is stated by Best et al (2003:1) as follows:
Facility management is the practice of integrating the management of people and the
business process of an organisation with the physical infrastructure to enhance corporate
performance.
FMAA competencies are categorized as follows by Best et al (2003:3): The broad
categories are:
Use organisational understanding to manage facilities
Develop strategic facility response
Manage risk
Manage facility portfolio
Improve facility performance
Manage the delivery of services
Manage projects
Manage financial performance
Arrange and implement procurement/sourcing
Facilitate communication
Manage workplace relationships
Manage change

The range of skills and knowledge required of facility managers, if they are to successfully
carry out all of these functions, is quite alarming as it includes everything from computer
networking and mechanical engineering to human resources management theory,
occupational health and safety legislation, contract negotiation, future financial planning (eg
budgeting, life costing, discounting), subcontract administration, construction management
the list is endless.
Euro FM
Although no specific definitions or core competencies occur on the EuroFM (2010) webpage, it is noteworthy that it networks 80 organisations based in 15 European countries.
These organisations represent professional associations, education and research initiatives
and corporate organisations.
Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management (HKIFM)
The HKIFM (2010) web-page defines facility management as follows:
Facility Management is the process by which an organization integrates its people, work
process and physical assets to serve its strategic objectives.
As a discipline, facility
management is the science and art of managing this integrative process from operational to
strategic levels for promoting the competitiveness of organizations.
HKIFM (2010) identifies professional core competencies as per Figure 3.

Figure 3: HKIFM (2010) Professional core competency

Japan Facility Management Promotion Association (JFMA)
The JFMA (2010) web-page defines facility management as follows:
It is a comprehensive management approach for the optimization of the ownership,
utilization, operation, and maintenance of the business real properties (land, buildings,
structures, equipment, etc.) and maintain them in optimal conditions (minimum costs and

maximum effects), so that they could contribute to the overall management of the business.
Core competencies are not provided.
South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA)
The SAFMA (2010) web-page provides the following definition:
Facilities management is an enabler of sustainable enterprise performance through the
whole life management of productive workplaces and effective business support services.
SAFMA however does not list the required core competencies required by facilities
management on its web-page.
Other definitions
As previously noted, a large volume of literature exists and is growing rapidly regarding
facilities management. A limited number is reflected below, being indicative of general
points of view.
Best et al (2003:12) provide the following descriptive statement:
Facility management is therefore about empowering people through provision of
infrastructure that adds value to the processes that they support. Facility managers are
charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the infrastructure is available, operational,
strategically aligned, safe and sustainable. Above all, however, facilities must encourage
high productivity through a continual search for ways to improve quality, reduce cost and
minimize risk.
Atkin and Brooks (2009:3-4) provide the following descriptive statement:
Facilities management can therefore be summarised as creating an environment that is
conducive to carrying out the organisations primary operations, taking an integrated view of
the services infrastructure, and using this to deliver customer satisfaction and best value
through support for and enhancement of the core business. We can develop this definition to
describe facilities management as something that will:
Support people in their work and in other activities.
Enhance individual well-being.
Enable the organisation to deliver effective and responsive services.
Sweat the physical assets, that is, make them highly cost-effective.
Allow for future change in the use of space.
Provide competitive advantage to the organisations core business.
Enhance the organisations culture and image.
Barret and Baldry (2006:xiii) provide the following definition of facilities management:
An integrated approach to maintaining, improving and adapting the buildings of an
organisation in order to create an environment that strongly supports the primary objectives
of that organisation.
Although the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and
Construction (CIB) is obviously not a trade association, it is of value to review its position as
a contributor to the creation of knowledge. The CIB (2010) web-page does not provide
specific definitions, nor does it list core competencies. But, as a highly regarded international
research facilitator (the work done, and reported through its work commission: CIB W070),
its contribution to the creation and dissemination of best professional practice in education,
research and practice is of high standing.

UNDER-EMPHASISED KNOWLEDGE AREAS

The knowledge areas that are perceived as important for practicing facilities managers and
the relevant emphasis of each in the surveyed literature are reflected in Table 1. The table
therefore represents an emphasis evaluation, based on the extent to which various
knowledge areas receive attention in literature. This analysis is not substantiated by
quantitative and triangulated research procedures, but has value as an attempt to observe
general tendencies to emphasise knowledge areas, required in a primary body of knowledge
for the development and practice of facilities management. The table was compiled by the
authors after scrutinizing what knowledge areas receives more or less (how much) emphasis
in the surveyed literature.
COVERAGE IN
LITERATURE
KNOWLEDGE AREA

OFTEN
1

A. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT:
CONTEXTUALISING THE MANAGERIAL
CHALLENGE
1. INTRODUCTION TO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
2. AN OVERVIEW OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
3. DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
4. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PRACTICE MODELS
5. GENERAL MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS
6. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
7. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
8. HUMAN RESOURCES
9. LAW AND CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS
10. FINANCE
11. MARKETING OF SERVICES
12. TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
13. SERVICE LEVEL ARRANGEMENTS
14. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
15. SUCCESSFUL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
B. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: PRACTICE
1. STRUCTURING THE ORGANISATION
2. CLIENT AND/OR USER NEEDS EVALUATION
3. DESIGN TO SATISFY CLIENT AND/OR USER
NEEDS
4. SPACE MANAGEMENT
5. CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY, BUILDING
SERVICES AND COMPONENTS
6. QUANTIFICATION AND TENDERING
7. PRINCIPLES OF LIFE CYCLE COSTING

SELDOM
2

8. GENERAL SERVICES
9. CAPITAL PLANNING
10. PROCUREMENT & OUTSOURCING
11. RISK MANAGEMENT
12. POST OCCUPANCY EVALUATION
13. BENCHMARKING
14. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
15. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
AND REGULATIONS
C. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE
1. INTRODUCTION TO MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT
2. MAINTENANCE CATEGORISATION
3. PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING OF
MAINTENANCE EXECUTION
4. OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
5. PEST CONTROL IN BUILDINGS
6. MAINTENANCE FINANCE
7. CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND
MAINTENANCE WORK
8. INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

Table 1: Facilities Management Primary Body of Knowledge (own table)

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION SHORT COURSES (5 DAYS) AND
TESTING OF THE PROPOSED CONTENTS FOR AN ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
(3 YEARS)
The researchers have substantial experience in presenting short courses (5 days) in facilities
management. As part of the structuring of a three-year tertiary education programme it is
regarded valuable to source the views regarding the introduction of an academic programme
from short course delegates. Their evaluation of the short courses was seeked to test their
acceptance / rating of the contents. This was further extended to also test their evaluation of
the proposed contents of the three-year academic programme. Further enhancement of this
was done by surveying two selected organised industry groups in the facilities and property
industries. A final ongoing evaluation has been regularly conducted since introduction of the
three-year programme by continues surveying of the importance attached to 20 core
competencies selected by the authors.
ANALYSIS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION SHORT COURSES EVALUATION
Table 2 is based on the results obtained from a limited quantified 100% covered survey,
assessing broad disciplines covered during continuing education short courses, soliciting
recommendations regarding course content. Delegates are also prompted to make alternative
suggestions. This survey has been conducted six times (from 2004 to 2007) amongst
delegates, after they have completed a five-day continuing education short course offered to
middle (and top) management practitioners of facilities management. Table 2 contains the
results that emanated from the last three courses offered during 2006 and 2007, before

structuring the reported academic programme. These courses are always well subscribed.
Delegates that are required to take part in the above survey are also evaluated by way of
assignments, in order to support continuous quality improvement. These evaluations have
subsequently also been conducted from 2008 to 2010, with no noteworthy different result.
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
ACTUAL
RECOMMENDED
LECTURE %
LECTURE %
35
34.1
Management (assets, property, facility,
general)
6
7.1
Client care
15
13.9
Finance
18
17.2
Legal
13
12.9
Quality
13
14.8
Maintenance
100
100
Total
Table 2: Recommendations for Continuing Education Programme Content Weighting
From the results reflected in Table 2 it is concluded that the respondents that have attended
continuing education short courses, are satisfied that the course content is on target.
ANALYSIS OF SURVEY REGARDING PROPOSED ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
Based on all the data obtained, a three year academic programme has been structured, to be
offered in a distance learning format, as follows:
Year One: Facilities Management Introductory Certificate (NQF Level 6: 80 Credits)
Year Two: Facilities Management Intermediate Certificate (NQF Level 7: 80 Credits)
Year Three: Facilities Management Advanced Certificate (NQF Level 7: 80 Credits)
Note: Some of the course contents/subjects may be offered as credits towards obtaining a
BSc-degree.
The proposed contents of the above programmes/certificates have been subjected to a
quantitative and qualitative survey in order to assess the validity thereof. Three stakeholder
groups that could contribute to this process were identified and requested to take part in a
survey. The quantitative results are reported in Table 3.
Group 1: Practitioners that have participated in Continuing Education Short Courses.
Group 2: The South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Facilities and
Technical Services Committee members.
Group 3: The South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) management
committee requested prominent members to participate.
All participants in the survey were provided with details of the proposed course content,
including the objectives and outcomes of each subject.
The focus of the survey was to determine to what extent the curriculum content was regarded
as important. This assessment of a primary body of knowledge for a three year educational
programme was conducted regarding the following quantitive data:

QUESTIONNAIRE ON PROPOSED THREE YEARS COURSE CONTENT

FOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMMES IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
1. Your response (x) should please indicate the importance of each subject as per
the attached proposed modules for certificates in facilities management over a
three year period.
2. Not important:
1
Most important:
5
GRP GRP GRP
1
2
3
FIRST YEAR: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTORY
CERTIFICATE (NQF 6:80 credits)
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

DQF 104: 16
COE 104:16
SBE 102:8
FAM 100:40
AVERAGE

Descriptive Quantification
Building Economics
Structure of the Built environment
Facilities Management

4.12
4.47
4.41
4.88
4.47

4.25
4.00
4.00
4.75
4.25

3.50
4.25
4.00
4.75
4.13

SECOND YEAR: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INTERMEDIATE

CERTIFICATE (NQF 7:80 credits)
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

DQF 204: 16
COE 204: 16
CSC 304:16
EGS 202: 8
FAM 206: 24
AVERAGE

Descriptive Quantification
Building Economics
Construction Science
Engineering Science
Facilities Management

3.58
4.29
4.17
3.76
4.88
4.14

4.00
4.00
4.25
3.25
4.75
4.05

3.50
4.00
4.00
4.00
5.00
4.10

THIRD YEAR: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ADVANCED CERTIFICATE:

(NQF 7:80)
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

COE 304:16
CCM 306: 16
BSC 304:16
PDE 302:8
FAM 308: 32
AVERAGE

Building Economics
Construction Contracts and Management
Building Science
Property development
Facilities Management

Table 3: Responses by stakeholder groups

NOTE:

4.17
4.35
3.76
4.29
4.52
4.22

3.75
4.00
4.00
3.25
5.00
4.00

4.00
4.67
4.25
4.00
5.00
4.38

Group 1: From the 213 questionnaires delivered 19 responses were received (8,9%)
Group 2: From 22 committee members 4 responses were received (18.2%)
Group 3: It is unknown how many questionnaires were circulated, from which 4 responses
were received.
Although the response rates are not high, it may be regarded as adequately indicative, coming
from prominent interest groups.
RESPONDENTS
Group 3: Course Participants
Group 4: SAPOA Committee members
Group 5: SAFMA members

VALUE
4,28
4.10
4,20

Table 4: Average arithmetic results from all respondents on a 5-point scale

From Tables 3 and 4 it can be concluded that the proposed three year courses enjoy
comprehensive acceptance and that the courses contents are on target.
The qualitative data that was obtained is not reported on in detail. It basically constitutes
guidelines/suggestions and does not distract from the outcomes of the quantitative surveys.
Following the initial data collection reported above, both the 5-day continuing education
programme and the 3-year certificate programme candidates have consistently been surveyed
since, in order to strengthen the facilities management knowledge base, core competencies
required, and to develop the relevant definitions supporting understanding of this multidisciplinary profession. Table 5 reflects the outcomes of further surveys conducted amongst
the 3-year academic students and the 5-day continuing education delegates during 2009-2010.
A limited list of 20 knowledge areas/competencies was drawn-up and surveyed on a 5-point
Likert scale. None of the delegates are school leavers, all are in full-time occupations. It is
noteworthy that overall the 3-year students (people who have elected a serious study
commitment), rate the overall importance of the knowledge areas higher then the 5-day
continuing education participants. However, all assessments are higher than the 2,5 midpoint,
indicating the general perceived importance. The 3-year students evaluation produced a
mean score of 3,86, whilst the 5-day delegates produced a mean score of 3,20.

NO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

KNOWLEDGE AREA
General management
Strategic management
FM Specific management skills
Project management for facilities managers
IT Utilization
Contract law
Construction technology, building & infrastructure
services
Space planning
Energy efficiency and environmental control
Support services

3-year
students

Short
course
delegates

3.72
4.22
4.00
4.22
3.61
3.67
4.11

3.12
3.42
3.54
3.31
2.54
3.19
3.35

3.61
4.06
3.56

3.12
3.50
3.08

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Maintenance management
Hygiene and cleaning
Total financial management
Procurement and outsourcing
Post occupancy and continuous evaluation
Front desk/reception services
Human resources
Marketing and public relations for FM services
Enhancement of FM practice
Total quality management
Mean

4.28
4.00
4.11
3.89
3.78
3.33
3.61
3.50
3.89
3.94
3.86

3.96
3.42
3.27
2.88
2.77
2.81
2.96
2.73
3.35
3.77
3.20

Table 5: Facilities management generic knowledge areas evaluation of importance in

practice
CONCLUSIONS: DEFINITIONS
From the variety of definitions observed and the various surveys that were made, the notion
develops that facilities management comprehensively deals with the creation of fit for
purpose working environments, or workplaces. The latter is rapidly expanding to become
places of business/work and centres of experience. People globally preferably interacts in
optimally created physical environments, whilst some may live only in cyber space, away
from the physical workplace. The ability to serve these customers in the most efficient and
sustainable fashion will be the future norm against which FM services will be measured.
A unified international definition nor unified core competencies however exist. From the
contents of this paper the following definition has been created as focal point for future
research: Facilities management is the process that creates and continuously optimizes the
productive utilization of physical operational spaces, services and infrastructure for its
intended purposes.
It is noteworthy that many formal associations apparently have not identified core
competencies required to structure a unified body of knowledge. Unlike for instance project
management, facilities management internationally has not developed a consensual body of
knowledge. This is an important deficiency, placing providers of education in a position
where each has to select its own, often in isolation.
The knowledge base of the traditional built environment professions offers an excellent point
of departure in order to address the challenges offered by facilities management. Facilities
management is a new profession in the built environment family of professions. It has
however been neglected in this regard in South Africa, thus developing in isolation.
The knowledge gained from offering continuing education short courses, expanded with the
analysis of a literature survey, non-quantified observations of academia and practice, and
quantitive and qualitative surveys, this attempt in assessing a proposed primary body of
knowledge for facilities management rendered useful information. Being a new discipline
makes it a moving target that requires continuous evaluation and development, particularly
regarding the structuring of tertiary education programmes.

The knowledge gained by the University of the Free State from offering continuing education
short courses and a three year tertiary education programme have now lead to the structuring
of a BSc-degree programme. This is a work in progress, of which the final curriculum will
be developed during 2011, with first enrolments envisaged for 2012 or 2013.
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