Research

In order to keep the profession informed of new developments in the industry, ongoing research is essential. The IFMA Foundation funds worthwhile research projects that strengthen the multifaceted knowledge and skills of FM professionals. The IFMA Foundation gathers topics relevant to facility management and groups them into five categories: emerging trends (topics that will matter next or are being redefined); timely topics (sizzlers); ongoing issues (topics that matter now); background issues (infrastructure, profession, trends, demographics, etc.); and blue sky (visionary).

Identification of topics is an ongoing process and we encourage input. Provide your feedback on potential research topics online.

Research Reports
The following is a list of recent project reports underwritten solely or in partnership with the IFMA Foundation. Project reports are made available to IFMA members through the bookstore at reduced rates and sometimes at no charge.

• Cut It Out!
• FM Technology Update
• The Business of Green Cleaning
• Violence in the Workplace–The Role of the Facility Manager
• Pandemic Preparedness Manual
• Deliver the Green
• Wireless Systems in the Facility
• Addressing the Threat of Terrorism: Guidelines for Prevention and Response funded by the IFMA Foundation
• Universal Design in the Workplace: Perceptions of Accessibility and Accommodation funded by the IFMA Foundation
• Speech Privacy in Clinical Settings funded by the IFMA Foundation
• Profiles '98: Salary Report funded by IFMA Foundation

Sustainability White Papers
There continues to be a strong interest in facility management education as it relates to sustainability and the implementation of energy saving techniques. The IFMA Foundation, with support from IFMA’s Sustainability Committee, is producing a series of white papers to respond to this need for information.

The general objective of these guides will be to provide data and information associated with a wide range of subjects related to sustainability. Readers will view examples of successfully implemented sustainable practices and will learn to develop a business case and ROI analysis for sustainability.

Each guide will be 25-35 pages long and will contain numerous charts, tables and sidebars with quotes and links. While there is no fixed production schedule for the white papers, it is expected that there may be as many at 12 produced and posted here over the next year.

• Getting Started (.pdf)
• The detailed findings in this Getting Started Guide include a step-by-step process for assessing your organization, finding your starting point, identifying initiatives, evaluating their value, and implementing, measuring and monitoring their effectiveness. Those steps include the "how-to" suggestions for:
  • Taking your organization’s temperature
  • Creating alignment
  • Establishing your starting point
  • Creating and prioritizing sustainable initiatives
  • Implementing, measuring and monitoring your plan
• Getting Started also includes information on making the business case for a SFM program. This includes outlining a process for the program and finding the right approach for your organization that is aligned with available time and resources.
• Finally, one of the most valuable sections of this guide includes case studies of three organizations that are on the path of Sustainable Facility Management. In looking at how it’s done, we were able to solicit input from three organizations that are taking different paths, with different levels of available resources. They have shared their goals, approaches, results, and their lessons learned.