The vision of Facilities Management (FM) embodied in the new ISO FM Standards, and ISO 41001, is set to transform the operations of businesses and organisations worldwide. It represents a genuine win-win for providers, organisations and end-customers.
We have finally managed to nail down our CEO, Stan Mitchell, to get an update. Stan has been integral in the development process. He inspired international support for the new ISO FM Technical Committee. He is also acting as its first Chair, and leading the creation of the new FM standards.
What are the new ISO FM standards?
The new standards will provide a framework for global FM. This includes a common terminology and benchmarks against which organisations and working relationships can be assessed. Currently, three new standards are under development, or completed and awaiting publication:
• ISO 41001 deals with the requirements for, and guidance for use of, management systems. Its aim is to improve awareness and support for effective facilities management regimes globally and across all sectors (in development).
• ISO 41011 standardises an international vocabulary for FM. It affords a clear common terminology for providers and customers (complete, awaiting publication).
• ISO 41012 gives guidance on strategic sourcing and the development of agreements. It will help define and regulate a better working relationship between providers and customers (complete, awaiting publication).
Why is standardisation important?
The global FM industry is growing and evolving at an astonishing rate, encompassing an ever broader range of workplace and operational requirements. In a context of relentless economic and regulatory pressures, FM’s ongoing expansion seems inevitable. So too does its increasing importance to compliance, performance and the bottom line.
Yet at the same time, FM means different things between countries, even within organisations. Bottom-up development in emerging markets is only adding to the complexity and confusion. There is a burning need for a common language around Facility Management, and a framework which enables consistent, high-quality working relationships and delivery across territories. This need has been the momentum behind the ISO standards.
“The Committee has been able to work together to form strong consensus across the 30+ countries that are currently members. The new standards will help clarify across these countries both the ‘what’ of FM, and also ‘why’ it is a strategically important discipline to all organisations in the management, operation and maintenance of the workplace, its assets and operational efficiencies” CEO, Stan Mitchell.
Of particular importance is the future ISO 41001. This will help facilitate appropriate Facilities Management structures and resourcing for customers. It will also give them performance criteria for assessing whether their FM suppliers are fit for purpose. Additionally, it will provide emerging markets with the template they need to develop a world class FM regime. This includes professional training and certification, and supplier benchmarking for public and private sectors.
If you want to find out more about the new ISOs and how KEY would apply it in the context of your organisation, then contact us on sharedservices@key.fm or +44 (0) 1786 841603.
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