Facilities Manager's Desk Reference, 3rd Edition

11Space Management

11.1 Introduction

Space management is a very practical skill. The need to be fully conversant with the space in the organisation’s property portfolio is a fundamental aspect of FM (facilities management, or facilities manager). It brings the FM into contact with every person and every aspect of the organisation and the premises.

FMs are usually responsible for the use and management of space within their buildings. Space management covers many aspects such as the formulation of a space strategy or policy, consideration of the impact of structure and services on space use, preparing briefs for office layouts, managing changes in accommodation, and managing costs and charges for space. It also requires the FM to keep abreast of relevant legislation, and new developments in the way space can be used to support an organisation and its employees.

As in all good management practices, regular reviews are required to check that the working environment is providing the medium for the organisation to achieve its operational objectives. Policies and standards may have to be reviewed, moves and relocations managed, and new ways of working introduced. The landscape of the working environment needs a good manager to keep it productive, creative, cost‐effective and compliant.

11.2 Data and information gathering

A competent FM will need to know:

• The amount of space they manage, and the proportion of occupied and empty space – this could be in either square metres or square ...