Introduction
What is facilities management?
What facilities management is, what it covers, why it matters, and how it differs from related disciplines.
Basics
Facilities management basics
Facilities management spans a wide range of work, from maintenance and compliance to workplace services and contractor management. These pages explain the basics for anyone new to FM or wanting a clearer view of what it actually involves.
What you will find in this section
This section explains the core concepts behind facilities management. It is designed for readers who want a practical overview before moving on to software, templates, and more detailed operational guides.
Facilities management covers the systems, services, and processes that keep buildings and workplaces running properly. Depending on the organisation, that can include maintenance, compliance, health and safety, cleaning, security, space management, contractor coordination, and workplace support.
Start with the core topics
These are the main pages to read first if you want a solid foundation in facilities management.
Common areas of facilities management
Facilities management is broad, but most organisations deal with a similar set of core operational areas.
Maintenance
Planned and reactive maintenance for buildings, equipment, and critical systems.
Compliance
Supporting legal, safety, and regulatory requirements across sites and operations.
Health and safety
Helping maintain safe workplaces, clear procedures, and controlled operational risks.
Contractor management
Coordinating external suppliers, service providers, and specialist works.
Workplace services
Managing support services such as cleaning, security, reception, and staff environments.
Space and asset management
Tracking assets, planning space usage, and supporting efficient building operations.
Where to go next
Once you understand the basics, the next step is usually to explore practical guides or compare software tools.