FM optimism remains despite ongoing uncertainty

The IWFM’s latest Market Outlook Survey has highlighted optimism within the facilities management industry linked largely to expectations of a reactivated sector as workers return to offices.

As might be expected, the overall findings for 2022 reflect the broader economic picture: challenges of supply chain squeezes, creeping inflation and a skills shortage pinching sharply now as the post-Brexit sector finds itself bereft of skilled frontline workers.

With the as yet unfelt impacts of war in Ukraine notwithstanding, the general outlook is described as one of recovery and optimism as six in ten  respondents expect an improved outlook for 2022 remained consistent with last year, with fewer expecting it to worsen.

The IWFM acknowledge continuing changing workplace strategies to cover remote, home and flexible working. As working practices evolve, a recognition of changing requirements to manage this new working environment comes through as a negative impact; however, perhaps in a reflection of the uncertainty that remains over working arrangements, the factors most strongly identified as having a positive impact on the market over the last twelve months were also changes in the use of technology and data, in workplace strategies, including remote or hybrid working.

Peter Brogan, IWFM’s Head of Research and Insight, said: “Those able to harness the potential of new and emerging technologies and successfully apply data capture and analysis techniques to optimise technology use will be at the forefront of sector growth. Working from the encouraging insight from this year’s Survey, we will continue to develop tools to support the sector to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the evolving workplace.”