Facilities Management Glossary
Facilities management glossary provided to improve collaboration and productivity for real property owners, contractors, architects, engineers & oversight groups .
agreement: a fully executed (signed by appropriate parties) between the demand organization and the provider of services or products that clearly describes requirements in sufficient detail, including conditions, costs, resources required, desired outputs, and associated workflows.
asset: a physical item, thing or entity that has potential or actual value to an organization
asset management: coordinated activity of an organization monitor, control, and realize value from physical items, things, or entities
built environment: buildings, land/landscaped areas, infrastructure and other construction works
competence / competency – ability to apply knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve intended results in a targeted area(s). Examples specific to facility management include: construction cost estimating, maintenance management, capital planning, space planning, project delivery, etc.
demand organization: an entity which has a need and the authority to incur costs to have requirements met
end user: person or organization which uses products or services obtained from a supplier
internal service provision, in-house service provision: delivery and management of by staff employed by the demand organization
facility management, facilities management, FM: organizational function which integrates people, place, process, technologies, competencies, with respect to the with the purpose of improving outcomes, including quality, productivity, satisfaction, and return on investment in support of the organizational mission.
facility process: process which is integrated and managed by a facility management group/facility management organization
facility service: support provision to the primary activities of an organization delivered by an internal or external provider
infrastructure system: of facilities, physical equipment, built structures, and services/products/processes needed for the operation of an organization
open-book: transparent exchange of relevant information (especially costs – (OpenCostTM) between the facility management/construction/AE service provider and the demand organization
organization: person or group of people that has its own functions with responsibilities, authorities and relationships to achieve its objectives (examples: sole-proprietor, corporation, firm, enterprise, authority, partnership, charity or institution, or part or combination thereof, whether incorporated or not, public or private.
mobilization: phase to establish and implement all resources, tools, materials, information, information and procedures prior to taking full responsibility for the facilities services to be delivered as specified in the agreement.
need/requirement: a stated or implied expectation, specific (stated, for example in documented information or abstract, from the demand organization which is essential to enable the achievement of the core purpose and key objectives, generally implied (custom or common practice for the organization and interested parties or obligatory
real estate / real property: immovable land and/or buildings/physical structures.
service level: complete description of requirements of a service, product, technology process or system with their defined characteristics
support service: non-primary activity delivered in support of core business/core service of the organization
service level agreement, SLA: document which has been agreed between the demand organization and a service / product provider on defining performance, measurement and conditions of product/service delivery.
service provider organization: a provider that delivers one or more facility services that is internal or external to the demand organization .
specification(s): detailed description of the required performance and/or technical requirements for services or products and processes set out by the demand organization to make clear to the service provider the requirements to be fulfilled
workplace: physical location where work is performed
work station: location containing furniture and supporting equipment (telephony, IT and power connections), specifically designed or suitable for work-related activities and is suitable for permanent use
Facilities Management Glossary
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