Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Features
Data & Networks

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Ian Ellison and James Pinder on the technology megatrend

Open-access content Tuesday 12th October 2021
Authors
Facilitate Team
IAnEllison_Hmm.png

Ian Ellison (left) and James Pinder (right) of 3edges

When we say workplace, we mean people using the tools to work together, wherever they're working. It isn't just about physical spaces.

3edges

The theme of the IWFM Conference 2021 was 'Emerging stronger'. A variety of speakers tackled megatrends and essential topics affecting the world of work. Here Ian Ellison and James Pinder of 3Edges appraise FM's use of workplace data.

The workplace and facilities management profession has lagged behind other sectors in terms of digital literacy and effective application of data insights. This has to change. The role of data is essential to being an effective FM professional. Whether the client is a social housing provider, telecoms company or a Premier League football club, data is vital. 

“FM and workplace teams we work with often seem to be data poor; they don't always have the data they need to make the right decisions.” 

Previous research from 3edges highlighted two major problems with the workplace and facilities management profession’s approach to data: 

  • Generally as a profession, there was little awareness of emerging digital technologies in FM – particularly technologies that aren't already used within FM; and 
  • There was a low level of readiness for technological change, particularly regarding technologies that were emerging in other sectors but hadn’t become commonplace in FM. 

The proposed solutions include: 

  • Improving digital literacy through learning more about digital technologies. They needn’t be experts but just know enough to have informed conversations; 
  • Partnering with a tech company can help organisations achieve goals they could not do on their own; and 
  • Using data more effectively to improve customer experience, boost efficiency, and make better decisions. 

Currently, the workplace and facilities management profession should be focusing on four key considerations:

  1. Operational: workplace and facilities management has been performing excellently in frontline work environments. The industry has been providing safe spaces for many;
  2. Strategic: the profession is garnering unprecedented attention from executive leadership about the physical workspace and alternative ways of working;
  3. Collaboration: workplace and facilities management has found new ways to work with key departments such as IT, HR, and corporate communications; and
  4. Culture: the pandemic forced the rest of the working world to understand what the workplace and facilities management profession has been saying for a long time; where, when and how we work is about working together to get work done better. It’s about finding more tolerant and diverse ways of working to accommodate different people’s needs. 

With these four thoughts in mind, we need to consider what answers they give to the big question: Is the new approach to work working well? Tied to the big question are sub-questions: Are we working as productively as a company? Are our people performing? Are they happy? Are we losing out on time and productivity with our online meetings rather than being able to stroll down a corridor and ask someone a question? Are our outputs easier or harder to achieve? Are we increasing innovation or just churning out work?

Further questions arise:

  • Are our workspaces fit for purpose? 
  • Do our workplaces enable people to work efficiently? 
  • Do our people have the right tools in their workplace to get the job done?
  • Is our business facing increased risks? 
  • Are we working more sustainably?

To answer these questions, we need data from:

  • Employees – engagement and surveys about how they feel about working; retention and attrition rates; productivity levels; daily attendance. 
  • Workplace analytics – sensors; occupancy; usage; utilities data from CAFM systems.

So what about data quality, access and ownership? Who has the data and what power does it give them? Is it more valuable when shared or held onto? Part of the answer lies in understanding that bigger picture. If FM wants to pull the strategic lever it needs to use data effectively.

Key takeaway

Only through proper analysis of workplace and employee data can we answer the big question: is the new way of working proving successful?

Themes to ponder

  • Why do the conversations around the importance of data not match the efforts of FMs and FM organisations to use data?
  • How does the profession get better at accessing, analysing and actioning data?

You might also like

web_p30_Ian-Baker.png

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Ian Baker on wellbeing and sustainability

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Ian Baker on wellbeing and sustainability
Wednesday 13th October 2021
Open-access content
IAnEllison_Hmm.png

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Ian Ellison and James Pinder on the technology megatrend

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Ian Ellison and James Pinder on the technology megatrend
Tuesday 12th October 2021
Open-access content
web_Gordon-Mitchell.png

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: Gordon Mitchell on data, standards and the future of the built environment

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: Gordon Mitchell on data, standards and the future of the built environment
Monday 11th October 2021
Open-access content
David Olusoga

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: David Olusoga on racial diversity in the workplace

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: David Olusoga on racial diversity
Friday 8th October 2021
Open-access content
5---Deborah-Frances-White.jpg

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Deborah Frances-White on diversity and inclusion

IWFM Conference 2021 report: Deborah Frances-White on diversity and inclusion
Thursday 7th October 2021
Open-access content
Baroness Camilla Cavendish

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: Baroness Camilla Cavendish on adapting to hybrid

IWFM Conference 2021 Report: Baroness Camilla Cavendish on adapting to hybrid
Tuesday 5th October 2021
Open-access content
Filed in:
Features
Also filed in:
Data & Networks

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ