Gordon Mitchell
“When FM is done right, when FM takes the long-term and blends that with the short and local perspectives, it has this opportunity to transfer as part of its natural motion. I think even in terms of the Institute's change of name of a few years ago - that opportunity to influence, to a deeper, richer degree is without a shadow of a doubt in front of us right now.”
Gordon Mitchell, digital solution architect at Key Facilities Management and Keystone Workplace Software
The theme of the IWFM Conference 2021 was ‘Emerging stronger’, with speakers tackling the megatrends affecting the world of work. Gordon Mitchell, digital solution architect, Key Facilities Management and Keystone Workplace Software – used his session to discuss international activities progressing the world of FM and a glimpse into the roadmap ahead leading into a practical view of the activities in IWFM and its technology SIG.
At the foundation of the built environment, building information modelling (BIM) and its data is needed for standardisation – whether corporate or nationally focussed. This extends from naming to structure to context to operation.
“I like the term ‘sustainable net zero’. It's not just about net zero for net zero’s sake it's about building it into more of a habit of practice, we need to be agile, we need to be accommodating of the next curveball that comes our way.”
Getting standards embedded into that FM environment, and getting it to teams and to clients and starting to make those changes happen isn't the job of a standards environment. This is when the professional body steps in with promise and vision to support people to make changes.
It’s not about creating new things, it’s about knowing how to start to relate to what people already know and do in their day-to-day jobs.
FM is one of the biggest contributors to the UN's sustainable development goals, Mitchell said.
Key takeaway
FM is young as a profession and digitally immature but looking to other industries will help. After all, imitation is easier than creation.
Themes to ponder
- Time needs to be spent figuring out how to enact standards into processes – this comes down to unique approaches for different companies.
