As Facility Management (FM) continues to evolve beyond routine maintenance and operations, data-driven decision-making is becoming central to effective asset management and organizational performance.

In June 2023, Julieth Agbo, an Operations Specialist focused on advancing digital and data literacy, facilitated a virtual workshop aimed at equipping Facility Management professionals with practical data tools and skills to improve operational efficiency and insight. The session brought together participants from professional associations, public institutions, and private sector organizations, including representatives from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the Federal Ministry of Works, and various corporate entities.

The workshop introduced participants to Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software, alongside practical applications of Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, highlighting their use in predictive and preventive maintenance, asset tracking, reporting, and compliance management. Julieth Agbo reframed the role of the modern Facility Manager, emphasizing that data is already embedded in daily operations through maintenance logs, energy consumption records, asset registers, occupancy data, and compliance reports, often without being recognized as such.

“Data is not just for analysts,” Agbo noted. “It is a tool that helps professionals tell the story of their buildings, justify budgets, and proactively address issues before they escalate.”

Participants engaged in demonstrations and discussions on how CAFM tools can streamline facility operations and support strategic planning. A key takeaway from the session was the importance of starting small. Organizations were encouraged to organize and validate existing data using accessible tools such as Excel or Google Sheets as a foundation for future CAFM implementation.

The session reinforced the growing consensus that data literacy is no longer optional in Facility Management but an essential capability for professionals seeking to remain effective and future-ready in a rapidly changing work environment.