Survey of Facilities Managers' Responsibilities

Citation

(1998), "Survey of Facilities Managers' Responsibilities", Facilities, Vol. 16 No. 1/2. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1998.06916aab.007

Survey of Facilities Managers' Responsibilities

Survey of Facilities Managers' Responsibilities

Facilities managers in the UK are acquiring higher levels of responsibility ­ this is one of the findings of Survey of Facilities Managers' Responsibilities, a study commissioned by the British Institute of Facilities Managers. More than 20 per cent of facilities managers surveyed were reporting directly to the CEO. Another 30 per cent are reporting to other directors in the organisation including human resources directors and finance directors, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Report line

British Institute of Facilities Managers

The survey looks at issues such as the primary business sectors served; facilities management functions; job profiles; methods of training; cost accounting; computer-aided facilities management usage and recovery plans.

As with all surveys which rely on self-reporting information, a degree of caution needs to be exercised in interpreting the results. A more discussive and critical part of the report would have been useful. Respondents are likely to inflate the degree of competence and importance which they exercise. Any future surveys should include direct field studies to verify a sample of the responses.

However, given the current membership of the BIFM, the survey clearly captures a significant proportion of facilities managers (447 respondents or 14.5 per cent of Professional Members) and the report provides a useful picture which can be used as a yardstick for future studies.

A copy of the report can be obtained from the BIFM office (Tel: +44 (01799) 508608) or email admin@bifm.org.uk