IFMA publishes ‘Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI’

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has released a new publication which provides a roadmap to understanding and leveraging AI in the built environment.

‘Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI’ serves as a guide for facility management professionals ready to embrace the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. From predictive maintenance to optimising energy efficiency, AI is rapidly reshaping the way FMs operate, and this guide provides a foundational roadmap for understanding and leveraging these advanced tools.

In ‘Gamechanger,’ readers will discover clear and practical explanations of key AI concepts such as machine learning and machine vision. More importantly, they will gain valuable insights into how these technologies can effectively apply to real-world FM challenges. The guide provides a step-by-step approach to successful AI deployment, offering actionable advice on aligning AI strategies with business goals, managing organisational change, and ensuring data governance and infrastructure readiness. Crafted with the busy facility manager in mind, the guide is designed to be accessible, making AI a practical and achievable asset for any FM professional.

Dean Stanberry, past Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors and a member of IFMA’s AI in FM Working Group commented: “With AI dominating much of today’s technological discussions, FMs must learn to harness its capabilities and applications. This guide serves as both a roadmap and a compass for facility managers. It offers step-by-step guidance on starting, scaling and sustaining AI initiatives. The insights shared are drawn from industry research, expert opinions and practical experiences, making it a valuable companion for any FM looking to stay ahead of the curve.”

IFMA Global Chair Lynn Baez added: “AI in FM brings many questions from the C-suite to rank-and-file employees, and rightly so. ’Gamechanger’ equips FMs to take the lead in answering those questions and turning those inherent challenges into opportunities to prepare their organisations and people to succeed.”

‘Gamechanger’ is available to IFMA members via IFMA’s Knowledge Library and will be a part of a panel discussion at IFMA’s World Workplace 2024 Conference and Expo in San Antonio, Texas, USA on 10 October titled ‘Harnessing AI for the Future of Facilities Management,’ featuring working group members who contributed to the publication.