Facility managers endorse new global management standard

Towards creating a common language and understanding for a globally unified Facilities Management (FM) industry, the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), Nigeria region has endorsed the new International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 41001 FM management system standard, describing it as a major catalyst in shaping the growth path of the practice in the country.

The new standard aim to help FM professionals and organisations become effective and efficient in being able to communicate the value FM creates for business and society as well as improve outcomes for end users in terms of safety, security and productivity.

BIFM members, FM professionals and real estate experts who spoke at the 2017 BIFM C-Suite forum noted that while Nigeria’s FM industry has recorded impressive growth in recent times, operators in the local FM market must begin to define their service offerings in line with the new management systems standards.

Chairman of the ISO Technical Committee on FM standards and past chair BIFM UK, Stan Mitchell in his presentation delivered by Olumide Aina, Vice Chair BIFM Abuja, stated that the new set of standards which is centred around people behaviour and values is primarily aimed at helping organizations understand the robust process through which to manage, maintain, operate and improve their integrated Facilities Management system.

Enumerating the benefits of the new standard, Mitchell’s presentation showed that ISO certified companies out performed the market by 100 per cent, while 55 per cent achieved cost savings and over 70 per cent boosted their operational performance while improving customer service and retaining existing clients as well as acquiring new customers.

Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Raising the Standards of Professionalism and Excellence in Nigeria’s FM Industry’, Wale Odufalu, Chair BIFM Nigeria explained that the increasing demand for FM to demonstrate value as a viable business support enterprise, and re-echoed the need for FMs to embrace the new standards and the changes required within their organisations in the industry.

She also pledged the continued support of BIFM Nigeria to align their processes and services with global best practice, provide knowledge sharing and networking platforms for all FM professionals in the Nigerian FM industry.

Commending the institute for the choice for its theme, the Director of Standards, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Chinyere Egbuonu explained that the lack of standardization has continued to clip the growth of some crucial sectors of the economy.

“If FMs can take up the challenge to standardize their services, I am optimistic the industry will achieve so much more,” Egbuonu said.