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

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) recently announced the release of its new report, “Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI.” This new publication serves as a guide for facility management (FM) professionals ready to embrace the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. From predictive maintenance to optimizing energy efficiency, AI is rapidly reshaping the way facility managers operate, and this guide provides a foundational roadmap for understanding and leveraging these advanced tools.

“With AI dominating much of today’s technological discussions, FMs must learn to harness its capabilities and applications,” said Dean Stanberry, past chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors and a member of IFMA’s AI in FM Working Group. “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.”

Designed with FMs in Mind

In the guide, 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 “Gamechanger” report provides a step-by-step approach to successful AI deployment, offering actionable advice on aligning AI strategies with business goals, managing organizational 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.

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

As the future of facility management continues to evolve, “Gamechanger” empowers FM professionals to stay ahead of the curve, harnessing the power of AI to improve efficiency, reduce costs and elevate the occupant experience. This publication is a valuable resource that instills confidence in anyone looking to build a successful partnership with AI and lead the way in the next generation of facility management.

“Gamechanger” is available to IFMA members via IFMA’s Knowledge Library and will be a part of a panel discussion titled “Harnessing AI for the Future of Facilities Management,” featuring working group members who contributed to the publication.

The discussion is scheduled for Oct. 10 at 3:15 p.m. at IFMA’s World Workplace 2024 Conference and Expo in San Antonio, Texas, USA, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.