Through the ProFM research study, the broad scope of processes, services, and activities were categorized into four key knowledge domains:

• Asset Management.
• Risk Management.
• Business Management.
• Operations and Maintenance.

These were identified as the core capability areas to accomplish the mission of FM.

The four key knowledge domains are part of the ProFM Body of Knowledge.

Each knowledge domain is broken into essential competencies needed to ensure the capabilities. Descriptions of activities and required behaviors are linked to each competency.

Asset Management

This domain covers essential knowledge and skills relating to asset management, which is the coordinated activity of an organization to realize value from assets. Its functional areas include project management, strategic planning, capital planning, and construction.

 The primary goal of asset management is to enable an organization to achieve its goals in the most efficient way possible so that the organization’s limited financial and human resources can be leveraged most effectively. Thus asset management needs to determine the optimum amount of assets to have, neither too few nor too many, as well as the right types of assets in the right places. The facility manager is charged with managing assets throughout the entire facility life cycle.

Risk Management

This domain covers essential knowledge and skills relating to risk management, which is the process of identifying, quantifying, and managing the risks that an organization faces. Its functional areas include compliance and standards, environmental health and safety, security, and emergency management.

 Organizations of all sizes need to identify, understand, and manage uncertainties or risks that are critical to achieving success in order to develop and thrive. Risk management should be strategic, focused on actual goals, reliable, and cost-effective. It is more than taking or avoiding risks. It is the development of a clear understanding of the risks that are important to the organization and managing them as the organization evolves and the operating environment (physical, environmental, financial, and social) changes through time.

Business Management

This domain covers essential knowledge and skills relating to business management, which focuses on managing performance of all organizational activities to accomplish desired goals and objectives and achieve business results. Its functional areas include human capital, leadership skills, financial management, procurement, contract management, and real estate.

 Facility managers are business managers. They are asked to do more with less, to engage the right resources, and lead those teams to create a collaborative workplace that runs in an efficient and effective manner. Managers must solve problems to achieve success by planning, organizing, leading, and controlling in a way that achieves objectives.

Operations And Maintenance

This domain covers essential knowledge and skills relating to operations and maintenance (O&M), which refers to all of the services, processes, workflows, and tools required to ensure that the built environment functions as designed and constructed. It encompasses all activities necessary for the assets (structure, systems and equipment, and occupants/users) to perform their intended functions. Its functional areas include technical services, occupant services, work management, utility management, and space management.

 O&M activities each have a different focus. Operations refers to work practices required to operate the services and systems. Maintenance refers to the technical activities needed to keep the systems operational and in good working order. This domain is at the core of what facility managers do. While not needing to be technical experts in all building systems used, it is important for facility professionals to have an understanding of the requirements and capabilities of these systems and equipment to deliver optimal service to building occupants.