In 2016, IFMA’s Research and Benchmarking Institute (RBI) was established to centralize all research and benchmarking resources for IFMA and the IFMA Foundation. The goal of RBI is to become the premier knowledge translation research and benchmarking provider for FMs and built environment professionals. RBI develops quality products supported by frontline FM practitioners, researchers, and consultants. RBI’s proven model has served the industry well and will continue evolving. One of RBI’s key areas of focus is to simplify complex information, making it useful and easier to understand for the industry. IFMA/RBI has been selective in the products it produces – pursuing topics of benefit to the masses as opposed to a select few. RBI is overseen by a governing board that is independent from IFMA.

Effective research helps FMs save money & use best practices

FM is an incredibly dynamic industry, characterized by professionals who are intensely aware of their customers’ needs. Effective research practices and data provide the skillful FM with innovative ways to save money, enhance maintenance staffing profiles, streamline operations and maintenance practices, and strengthen their executive business case. Effective research allows FM professionals to see their operation in a new light and can provide that “ah-ha!” moment when trying to solve what seems to be an impossible problem. It is this kind of applied, direct-to-practice research that IFMA RBI strives to offer facility professionals around the world.

Business value proposition

As a non-profit partner organization affiliated with IFMA, RBI provides a wealth of thought leadership insight, products (benchmarking and research reports), webinars, virtual conferences, think tank participation opportunities and data.

Benefits of RBI:

  • RBI webinars are complimentary for IFMA members.

  • Discounted pricing is available for members for research and benchmark reports.

  • Member pricing is also available for RBI research/benchmarking track presentations at IFMA World Workplace events.

  • RBI is the go-to-resource for IFMA member questions on all things in FM research: data, O&M, staffing, technology, cost benchmarks, space planning, salaries, flexible workspace and more.

RBI provides some of the most economical prices for members including free copies of published reports to survey participants.

RBI strives to develop products that are informative and forward thinking, providing the data needed for FMs to justify their staffing and financial resource needs. The upcoming North America Operations and Maintenance benchmark report update is an example, which will be replicated in other regions.

Having current information is a critical component of benchmark and research products, which are used to support strategic decision-making efforts.

The information is developed with insight from current frontline FM, consultants and researchers. RBI could produce more products each year, but there are significant limitations to the final outcomes given the time needed for product validation. Over the next three years, RBI will develop expanded global benchmarks for regions including Asia, Europe and the Middle East. One new benefit IFMA members will receive is a free executive summary document for each upcoming RBI product.

One of RBI’s key goals is to provide global benchmarks for FM and the wider built environment. Through a well-documented and refined process created over 30-plus years, IFMA/RBI have harnessed the distinct involvement of subject matter experts in this formula for success. While members and non-members will be able to purchase report modules in addition to full static reports via the platform, static reports will still be available for traditional purchase.

Product line

  • Benchmark reports – RBI is streamlining efforts to conduct all benchmarking reports in a specific year, including an annual index metric for aggregate janitorial, maintenance and utility costs. The innovative approach will provide timely data on a regular basis. The new interactive Resource Advantage Platform (RAP) will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for all global benchmarking reports, giving users the ability to produce customized reports specific to their unique needs. Data can be analyzed globally or regionally, and by facility use, industry sector, size, and age. RBI continues to add new benchmarks, while refining existing data based on market needs and subject matter expert (SME) guidance.

  • Research reports – RBI will also produce reports in a variety of other relevant FM topics, including: global trends, salaries and compensation, outsourcing best practices, agile workplaces, Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities/grids, commercial real estate and future FM skillsets. Potentially, some research efforts could focus more on regional impact versus global impact when appropriate. Thirty-five industries participate on average in any given study. RBI is eager to grow industry participation and improve upon existing industry involvement.

  • Research innovation webinars – RBI produces nearly 30 webinars each year on a variety of new research topics, based on common trends found in the IFMA Engage platform discussions, IFMA/RBI membership surveys, IFMA Communities discussion topics, and third-party data. RBI webinars cover a wide range of topics, industries and regions.

  • Resource advantage platform – This product is the culmination of multiple efforts throughout the years to create what might be the best tool for accessing benchmarking information. One of the key lessons learned from years past was the need for IFMA members/non-members to be able to upload their information into the system –this option was removed entirely to decrease human error. IFMA has quality control measures in place, which support this phase when importing data submissions. The platform was built with a long-term vision, allowing the platform to evolve throughout the years. The initial goal was to build a global benchmark tool to access O&M benchmarks from other regions. Although RBI has identified North America, European Union, Asia, and the Middle East as initial regions, there are other regions planned for benchmark. These future regions include the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Africa.

Other tools will be added to the platform in the coming year, which should make life for FM and the wider built environment much easier.

  • Virtual events - RBI plans to develop online conferences in association with other organizations or by themselves. These online conferences will be multiple half-days, with specific days focusing on a single theme such as COVID-19, IoT, benchmarking or outsourcing. Each day would comprise of four to six hours of content, with sessions lasting 30 to 45 minutes each, featuring two types of speakers: TEDx format presentations or traditional academic research. Another planned event is an annual virtual think tank. This event would have up to 35 professionals attending to discuss the future of FM and the wider built environment from specific industry sectors.

  • RBI Conference tracks - RBI tracks at IFMA World Workplace and Facility Fusion events will be developed. RBI presenters will bring new insight to current situations or discuss new RBI products coming to market. The goal is to have presenters share new knowledge with conference attendees. Presenters will be reflective of multiple, global regions.

  • Graduate student presentation program – This program will provide graduate students (masters and PhD level) with the opportunity to present new, cutting-edge thesis or dissertation research. IFMA members will receive an executive summary of presentations selected. These summaries will be stored in IFMA’s Knowledge Library for future access by IFMA members. When possible, a link will be included to the full thesis or dissertation.

  • Current/past partnerships – Since its inception, RBI has sought targeted partnerships in creating economical products that resonate with IFMA members, the FM industry and the wider built environment. These partnerships comprise of SMEs, data, sponsorships* and long-term contracts for services. Just recently, RBI was contacted by a key consulting company to become their long-term provider of benchmarking products.

Since launching multiple studies globally, RBI recognizes that differences between regions are critical, yet not highlighted among peer publications. RBI seeks to change this mindset and bring attention to the possibility of thematically leveling FM benchmarking globally.

The 11-member RBI board serves in a non-paid capacity, and has been supportive of these ongoing efforts. Board members serve two, one-year terms with an optional one-year continuation for up to three years total. The RBI board vice chair role is filled by the outgoing IFMA Global Chair once his/her term is completed. the vice chair takes on the role of chair after a year. There are two permeant seats: IFMA COO and IFMA Foundation executive director. The board supports 11 members. One goal is to have an international cross section of industries represented on the board.

*There are various types of sponsorship: research or benchmark reports, benchmark platform modules, RBI conference track sessions, RBI virtual conferences/sessions, virtual think tank events and webinars.