For more than four decades, IFMA has been a recognized global leader in producing operations and maintenance (O&M) benchmarking reports. These reports have guided facility management professionals with insights rooted in industry standards and best practices. IFMA has also provided the industry with benchmarking reports on space planning and FM compensation and benefits. In the past three years, these reports have expanded their geographical scope, encompassing new global regions. They now address key areas of the evolving built environment: the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing influence of emerging technologies in FM, and strategies for FM workforce recruitment and retention.

IFMA is updating its 2020 Space Planning Benchmark Report. The updated report will retire certain outdated benchmarks, introduce new ones, and maintain assessments of existing metrics. The update will feature two new sections: an exploration of the future workplace's landscape and an analysis of sensor integration in workplace settings. Both areas should not be considered deep dives but building blocks to help individuals evaluate, implement and measure investments, improvements and practices in support of smarter, safer, more sustainable and agile spaces.

IFMA's Global Salary and Compensation Report is evolving to offer more direct and cost-effective benchmarking data dissemination. In 2024, IFMA will launch a compensation and benefits dashboard on its Resource Advantage Platform. Ultimately, the Resource Advantage Platform will comprise a series of tools accessible by members and nonmembers. Instead of an annual detailed compensation report, IFMA will update the Compensation and Benefits dashboard each year with key benchmark snapshots. This reflects one of the most essential changes specific to benchmarking IFMA has made in years: globally streamlining data collection.

Future roadmap

New strategy

Starting in 2026, IFMA will consolidate the publication of all global O&M benchmark projects into a single year. The development phase is slated to commence in July 2025, focusing on North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. In South and Central America, where the development process is just beginning, an abbreviated O&M project is anticipated to start in 2025. In the years when the comprehensive benchmark survey is conducted, IFMA’s primary focus will likely be on enhancing support for O&M initiatives.

Index reports

Traditionally, IFMA's annual O&M studies have been regionally or topically focused, with sectors like healthcare often highlighted. Moving forward, IFMA aims to centralize data collection, adopting a more global approach. In years without a full survey, IFMA will produce an O&M index report, utilizing an inflation-adjustment model to offer a comprehensive analysis of each O&M area. This approach enables FMs to gauge expected percentage increases in various O&M areas. These reports not only furnish FMs with crucial O&M insights but also ensure responsible management of IFMA resources. For those seeking further O&M insights, IFMA offers additional resources to both members and nonmembers, including the Resource Advantage Platform, tailored analyses and the Power User subscription.

Practical application of benchmarking data

Future benchmarking classes

IFMA has broadened its educational scope to include specialized benchmarking classes. Although these classes were not a part of IFMA's traditional offerings, the successful implementation and positive reception of a four-hour intensive benchmarking class at the World Workplace 2023 Conference and Expo have catalyzed the introduction of these classes at future North American IFMA events and potentially at international events. This past class provided attendees with valuable, hands-on experience in effective benchmarking, encompassing data capture, storytelling through data, operational efficiency improvements and developing business case studies.

Expanding beyond benchmarking, IFMA is also exploring the introduction of a new series of AI Bootcamps. The boot camps aim to help facility and construction management professionals learn to harness advanced AI tools to streamline their operations and enhance decision-making. The program will focus on practical applications such as automating routine communication and reporting, improving document drafting like Statements of Work, and offering educational support through interactive AI-driven assistance. It will also delve into efficient knowledge management, task scheduling, incident reporting, stakeholder engagement, process optimization and financial analysis. The classes equip professionals with skills to effectively integrate AI into their daily tasks and strategic planning, significantly enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of facility and construction management practices.

Benchmarking Certificate

IFMA is exploring the optimal approach for designing, implementing and evaluating benchmarking classes tailored for various experience levels, from beginner to advanced. Additionally, there is consideration being given to awarding a digital badge after completing different benchmarking classes. IFMA currently includes some benchmarking in the Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®) and Sustainability Facility Professional® (SFP®) programs.

IFMA’s Power User Tool

The IFMA Power User tool, integrating Tableau software, enables analysis of the latest O&M database. This tool allows for the analysis of more than 400 O&M benchmarks. A future goal is to allow any region to be analyzed by Tableau software. Demonstrations are available on request, and costs vary between members and nonmembers. IFMA is seeking to incorporate past years’ datasets to be available for analysis.

IFMA’s Resource Advantage Platform

Launched in 2019, the Resource Advantage Platform enables both members and nonmembers to purchase individual sections of O&M benchmarking reports, rather than the entire report. This tool offers users the flexibility to tailor report outputs by adjusting various demographic settings, such as location, size and sector. Additionally, this platform offers inflation-adjusted data, enhancing the relevance and usability of the information.

IFMA member involvement

IFMA members can be involved in benchmarking and research projects by:

  1. Applying to participate as a subject matter expert;
  2. Completing surveys;
  3. Sponsoring webinars, report specific, class specific or Resource Advantage Platform;
  4. Attending webinars

Report enhancements

In response to evolving market needs and regulatory landscapes, IFMA is implementing substantial updates to its benchmark reports:

Operations & maintenance section updates

Approximately 50 percent of the O&M sections are set to receive updates, reflecting the evolving needs of the facility management landscape. A significant focus will be on sustainability, which will see the incorporation of new benchmarks based on market assessments, insights from subject matter experts, and IFMA’s specific requirements. Similarly, the utilities section is poised for an update to align more closely with future FM needs. This revision will involve a comparative analysis with the comprehensive utilities reports published by the U.S. government, ensuring relevance to current and future industry demands.

Addressing complex regulatory topics & security:

IFMA is planning to introduce benchmarks related to Regulation 28. This complex and dynamic area will provide FMs valuable, actionable insights. The security section is also undergoing an expansion to include critical areas like the ratio of full-time equivalents (FTEs) per security device and considerations around cybersecurity. These enhancements are based on insights provided by IFMA's subject matter experts and a thorough market analysis, aimed at determining the most relevant benchmarks for inclusion.

Incorporation of AI and natural disasters benchmarks:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being considered for inclusion in the upcoming updates, reflecting its growing significance in FM. Additionally, a new section focusing on natural disasters is proposed. This section aims to profile the types of organizations impacted by natural disasters and the percentage of operational budgets allocated for facility reopening post-disaster. Given the increasing frequency of such events, this addition is crucial for FMs to prepare and respond effectively.

Exploring NACIS & building classification ratings:

IFMA is reviewing the potential incorporation of North American NACIS codes and international LISC codes, along with building class type ratings. This effort adds more specificity to the global data collected and enabling more nuanced environmental assessments.

Sponsorship opportunities & regional studies

IFMA is opening sponsorship for its international O&M benchmark studies, marking a significant step in its global partnership initiatives. In a related development, South and Central America are expected to conduct abbreviated O&M benchmark studies in their respective regions during the fiscal year 2025, further expanding IFMA’s global research footprint.

FM insights on Regulation 28

The topic of Regulation 28, pivotal to FM, and warrants extensive research due to its sensitivity and potential impact. IFMA is committed to providing comprehensive insights that inform industry stakeholders on all aspects of this regulation. While the pilot city testing currently involves four cities, there is an expectation to expand this to more cities in the coming years. A key area of focus is how building owners manage the proposed fines, which are expected to be a significant aspect of the regulation in the future.

Regulation 28 was adopted as part of the Energy Performance for Buildings Act in 2021. Its primary goal is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Colorado's largest buildings. The targets set by this regulation include a 7 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2026 and a 20 percent reduction by 2030, using 2021 levels as a baseline.

The regulation, officially titled "Building Benchmarking and Performance Standards," was approved by Colorado's Air Quality Commission and became effective on Oct. 15, 2023. It requires owners of covered buildings to meet specific energy use targets or implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to increase efficiency.

This legislation is part of a critical strategy for the building sector in Colorado to reduce its energy use and emissions. It aligns with the state’s science-based climate targets, which aim for a reduction in GHG pollution by 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050, all from 2005 levels.

FMs IFMA portfolio of reports

FMs are dependent on insights, tools and informative resources. IFMA’s duty is to provide these resources to FMs, which support successful execution of their professional responsibilities.

Specifically, FMs need access to the following types of reports to execute their jobs:

  1. Regional/Global Operations and Maintenance benchmark reports
  2. Space Planning reports
  3. Compensation and Benefits reports
  4. FM Succession Planning reports
  5. Amenities reports
  6. Life Cycle Costing reports by region
  7. Business Resiliency (survivability plans) reports
  8. Emerging AI in FM reports
  9. FM Software procurement best practices and lessons learned
  10. Making the case for FM in the C-Suite

By participating in IFMA’s benchmarking surveys, FMs are providing the data necessary to help their fellow professionals strengthen not only the FM industry, but also their company’s productivity, efficiency and trustworthiness while improving their own standing within their organizations.