BIFM incorporates BIM

BIFM, the professional body for facilities management, has incorporated Building Information Modelling (BIM) into the Facilities Management (FM) Professional Standards to reflect the growing impact it has on the working practices of FM professionals.

The latest addition follows a BIFM survey, conducted in late summer 2016 in conjunction with UK Construction Week, which revealed that 85% of respondents support opportunities to fully integrate FM throughout the building project life cycle.

The majority of those who took the survey also agreed that BIM can help support the ongoing delivery of facilities management beyond initial construction, suggesting that the sector is astute to understanding the value that BIM technology adds to construction projects.

Launched in 2014, and forming a global competence model for the industry, the FM Professional Standards clearly define the key functions performed by FMs, the main components of each functional area and the competences required to be a proficient professional when carrying out those functions. The competences are defined for each level in a FM's career and can be used to benchmark skills, knowledge and competence for those working at all levels in the FM profession.

Since being introduced, the FM Professional Standards now underpin BIFM's training, qualifications and professional development activities. The update to include BIM recognises the need to meet the requirements of FMs as the industry adapts to the challenges and opportunities that it will bring to the profession.

BIFM acting chief executive Linda Hausmanis said: "As an Institute committed to excellence in facilities management, this latest addition to the FM Professional Standards is crucial in acknowledging the ever-evolving FM landscape.”

www.bifm.org.uk