International Facility Mngmt. Assn. releases its 23rd Research Report

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 5, 2003

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has released its 23rd Research Report, Project Management Benchmarks, which reveals some surprises about how facility professionals handle projects, strategic planning and the allocation of space.

Among the findings is further evidence that the number of square feet of office space per person is continuing to shrink. In 2001, the reported average rentable space per person was 355 SF, dropping to 347 in 2002.

When examining space standards and the average square footage per workstation, office sizes have decreased an overall average of 13% since the last report.

The amount of office space per type of worker has been shrinking steadily since 1997, but the most dramatic drop in measured space has been in upper management, decreased from 280 to 239 SF. Senior management offices have shrunk from 193 to 169 SF.

The new report also shows the ratio of open offices to those enclosed continues to increase. Since 1997, the. percentage of private offices has decreased by 3 percent, while open plan offices have increased by the same percentage.

Project Management Benchmarks, released in January, also reveals survey results on a variety of project management topics and facility benchmarks. Data on project processes and staffing are included, as well as move management and furnishings, space planning and strategic facility planning.

Almost three-fourths of the facility professionals surveyed said they either meet with senior executives or supply information that is used by others in the strategic facility planning process. While 82% agree that having a strategic facilities plan is important, only 54% said they actually have a current written plan.

The survey was mailed to IFMA professional members in the United States and Canada in April 2002. More than 650 were returned by the end of August, and a total of 629 were used for analysis. Among the respondents, 50% represented service industries; 30% were from manufacturing facilities; and 20% came from government, education, research, religious and other institutions. About half of the respondents came from headquarters sites.

Project Management Benchmarks is available from the IFMA Bookstore, $50 (U.S.) for members; non-member price, $100 (U.S.), plus shipping charges. Orders may be faxed to 1-713-623-6124 or email to bookstore@ifma.org. For phone orders (credit cards only), call 1-713-623-4362.