Overview

Facility management is an interdisciplinary field primarily devoted to the maintenance and care of commercial or institutional buildings, such as hospitals, hotels, office complexes, arenas or convention centers. According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), it is "a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, processes and technology."

The discipline of facility management and the role of facility managers in particular are evolving to the extent that many managers have to operate at two levels: strategic-tactical and operational. In the former case, owners need to be informed about the potential impact of their decisions on the provision of space and services. In the latter, it is the role of a facility manager to ensure proper operation of all aspects of a building to create an optimal environment for the occupants to function. This is accomplished by managing some of the following activities.

Facility Management in India has acquired new dimension owing to the brisk pace of residential and commercial construction all across the country, which has seen the coming up of gigantic buildings, expansive complexes and incorporation of sophisticated features in construction technology. As management of larger properties is getting more complex, professional services are here to stay for providing assistance in the normal operation of day-to-day activities.

Facility Management domain offers professional and expert services ranging from mechanical and electrical maintenance of the building to waste management. There is a variety of facility management services currently being made available in India. Housekeeping, pest control, electrical services, plumbing, water management, induction of safety devices and management of security systems, garden and lawn maintenance, staffing solutions, office administration support, dispatch management, hospitality management and catering services are just a few areas.