Strategic facility management crucial for region's built assets

Panelists at the IFMA-RICS World Workplace Forum in the Middle East, in Dubai.

Industry leaders at the first IFMA-RICS World Workplace Forum in the Middle East, discussed various strategic topics in Dubai recently.
Almost 200 participants from over 24 countries participated in this high level forum hosted by IFMA, the International Facility Management Association, and RICS, a global professional body working across land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
Some of the topics were: "Dispelling the Myth: Strategic Facility Management vs Traditional Facilities Maintenance"; why should organisations consider a model of strategic facility management? What can be done by stakeholders in the market to encourage global best practice into the region coupled with use of technology and data? And how can relationships and collaborative supply chain benefit the industry?
With a diverse selection of speakers and panellists which brought global and regional perspectives, discussions explored the importance of embracing strategic facility management for adding value to both end users and owners of real estate, and ensuring longevity and capital value preservation and growth for built assets in the region.
Lack of collaboration between asset owners, developers, FM's and service providers coupled with ineffective tendering and procurement processes are issues which clearly need addressing.
Tariq Chauhan, CEO, EFS, and title sponsor of the event, commented: "Suppliers must be engaged with much earlier in the supply chain to ensure they are able to add value for the life of the service contracts."
Opportunities for emerging technology and the use of data in building analytics is driving change in the industry.
Laurie Gilmer, VP Facility Services, Facility Engineering Services, emphasised the need to embrace digital disruption, and that being flexible, innovative and adaptable will ensure success in the market place. She stressed one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is from "competitors who don't currently exist and those we are not aware of."
Facility management contracts across the GCC are predicted to hit $66 billion by 2020, and globally, FM is a trillion-dollar industry practiced by 25-million professionals. It has grown both in size and scope - evolving from a tactical service to a strategic discipline.
Asif Siddique, executive director at Deyaar Facilities Management, said: "In this growing market, this event is a fantastic platform for facilities management professionals and decision markers to come together to learn and discuss in-depth how international best practices can be applied in the region, the latest innovations impacting the industry, and achievable strategies to drive robust development in asset management."