Altering Design Decisions to Better Suit Facilities Management Processes

Abstract

Research work reported in this paper tackles the communication between processes of both facilities management (FM) and design, showing the effect of such communication on the capability of newly built facilities in supporting organizations. Facilities management and design are seen as two different routes whereby the former starts on with the commencement of the building realisation process while the latter engages in post construction practices. Such a view suggests the existence of a gap between both processes which could influence the level of performance of the built facility and consequently the facilities management measures that would then be warranted. Therefore, the aim has been to reveal the distant relationship between facilities management and design as well as to unveil the FM potential in enhancing design decisions for achieving better performing facilities. Various factors leading to the aforementioned gap and reasons for bridging it have been presented. It was deduced that FM feedback is necessary for making informed design decisions, as it enhances the final design outcome and consequently results in better achieving FM goals during building occupancy.