IFMA Distributed Work Report Demonstrates Prominent Role of Facility Professionals in Strategic Workplace Decisions

A survey released by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) further illustrates the increasingly important role facility management (FM) and real estate professionals are playing in high-level strategic workplace decisions. Specifically, when asked who was driving workplace strategy decisions related to the implementation of distributed work, FM and real estate managers were identified in 30 percent of responses, only slightly less than senior executives (38 percent).

The revelation that FM professionals are a key driving force behind high level strategic decisions is found in IFMA’s latest workplace strategy report, “Distributed Work Revisited.” The report includes the results of a major survey conducted across industry types mainly in Canada and the United States. Other key findings include an increase in the number of employees using unassigned space coupled with a decrease in the actual allocated space for that shared space.

In addition to the full results of the distributed work survey with corresponding analysis, the report includes several case studies from organizations that have found success with distributed work strategies including eBay, Accenture, Microsoft, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the City of Calgary. Finally, the report offers an invaluable “Lessons Learned” section in which the real experiences in implementing distributed work strategies is condensed into useful guidance to help FM professionals succeed in similar efforts.

The complete version of “Distributed Work Revisited: Research Report #37” is available for sale online (https://www.ifma.org/marketplace/store/product-view/distributed-work-revisited). The report is US$95 for IFMA members and US$175 for non-Members. Funds raised help support ongoing and future research along with the sponsorship from organizations like Allsteel and HOK whose generosity supported this research. 

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, supporting 24,000 members in 105 countries. The association’s members, represented in 134 chapters and 17 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies professionals in facility management, conducts research, provides educational programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. To join and follow IFMA’s social media outlets online, visit the association’s LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Twitterpages. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.