Finding and retaining qualified employees, staff absenteeism, worker safety, and decreased budgets with increased expectations continue to be some of the most critical issues in-house service professionals face today, according to respondents of CMM’s 2024 In-House/Facility Management Benchmarking Survey.
As facility managers split their time between caring for buildings and managing staff, their concerns fall on both facets of their responsibilities. On the staff management side, most (30%) listed
employee health and safety as their biggest concern, followed by employee training (29%), employee retention (26%), and concerns that their employees use products properly (15%).
On the building management side, respondents focused on maintaining areas and surfaces (such as restrooms and floors) to preserve building inhabitant health and improve facility image. Almost half (48%) reported that restrooms are the most problematic area to maintain and keep clean, followed by carpeted surfaces (17%), multi-surface areas (11%), hard floors (9%), entryways/foyers (8%), and food service areas (8%).
In addition to staffing and financial issues, respondents also listed environmental challenges—such as garbage disposal, solid waste management, and energy conservation—among the critical issues facing facility professionals today. It is an issue most facilities are taking seriously. A majority (76%) of survey respondents reported that their facilities are working toward improving their sustainability practices and lowering their carbon footprint. Some of their sustainability practices include:
- Switching to green cleaning products and more efficient equipment
- Implementing a zero-waste program
- Installing solar panels, solar canopies, and a solar power plant
- Switching to LED fixtures and low-flow toilets
- Monitoring water usage
- Planting more greenery.
A new question added to the survey this year asked about respondents’ plans to implement artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their building management practices. The majority (41%) said they have not implemented AI technology in their building management. However, almost a quarter (24%) reported they are in the early stages of exploring AI solutions for specific tasks, 5% reported they have partially integrated AI technology for various building functions, and 2% have fully embraced AI technology, utilizing it extensively across all building operations.
More than half of respondents admitted that the cost of technology implementation is a concern for them, with 18% responding that it is currently beyond their budget, and 40% responding that they are exploring cost-effective solutions. The cost of technology implementation is manageable for 12% who reported they are actively investing in technology. Cost is not a major concern for 5%, who have allocated a substantial budget for adopting technology in building management.
Download the full survey below.
