Strategic Planning is one of the 19 functional FM knowledge areas that are categorized into four key knowledge domains.

Definition: Strategic planning is an organization’s process of gathering and analyzing internal and external information, setting goals based on that analysis, developing plans to accomplish those goals, and defining performance objectives that can be used to assess progress.

Facility management is no longer just about controlling operational and capital costs; it must focus now on how it can help the organization use the facility portion of its budget to create value, in the same way that human resources or research and development does. This is the role of facility strategic planning.

A strategy is a plan to create long-term value for customers and stakeholders and, in the case of for-profit businesses, future competitive advantage. Strategic planning is the process that helps create strategic alignment, a consistent relationship between the external environment (e.g., industry and market, government regulations), an organization’s strategic goals, and the way the organization deploys its resources. It is the beginning of the strategic management process, which is the continuous process of planning, implementing, monitoring and measuring, and revising and improving strategies.

To be effective at facility strategic planning, a facility manager must be able to see the implications of the service customer’s strategy on facility assets and plans and then to plan and deliver what is needed.

Key Concepts:

• Definitions of strategy, strategic planning, strategic management.
• Benefits of strategic planning.
• Levels of planning: strategic, tactical, operational.
• Strategic planning process model (e.g., ISO 41012).
• Facility strategic planning skills.
• Facility strategic planning framework.
• PESTLE tool.
• Gap analysis process tools.
• SWOT analysis.
• Business cases.
• Key principles of organizational design.
• Organizational models and structures used by FM.
• Benefits of effective policies and procedures.
• Systems thinking.
• Change management models.
• Challenges of implementing change.

Strategic Planning Proficiency Indicators (Task Statements)

• Develops and implements a strategic planning process.
• Aligns FM’s strategic direction and long-term goals with the organization’s overall business strategy and objectives.
• Gathers information and performs environmental scanning for strategic purposes.
• Develops an FM plan to achieve the strategic direction and goals of the organization.
• Aligns the facility’s strategic requirements with the organization’s requirements.
• Promotes the role of the FM function in achieving the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Participates in the organization’s strategic planning by representing FM’s perspective and expertise.
• Defines and communicates the FM and the organization’s strategy, goals, and challenges.
• Defines key metrics (key performance indicators) to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Applies systems thinking perspective to make business decisions.
• Identifies and promotes opportunities for FM to engage in environmentally responsible business practices.
• Performs master planning.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the differences between an FM strategic plan and an implementation plan.

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