Extended Call for Papers: EuroFM Research Symposium 2025

The EuroFM Research Network calls for papers to be presented at the 24^th EuroFM Research Symposium 2025 in connection with the EuroFM Conference, on 1-2 December 2025 in Trondheim, Norway. The Research Symposium will be held in connection with the European Facility Management Network Conference, in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

The theme of the 2025 symposium is Social Facility Management (FM). With increased inequalities, lack of social connection at work, and ethical concerns related to the new digital era, we want to focus on the opportunities of the FM industry to support a socially just and sustainable society. We welcome research on topics including, but not limited to:

• Social sustainability and circularity, e.g., revitalization and regeneration
• Social connection and sense of belonging, e.g., at the workplace
• Engagement and participatory approaches in FM
• Diversity and inclusiveness, e.g. gender and neurodiversity at the workplace
• Ethics and integrity, related to e.g. AI applications in FM

We warmly invite you to submit your research for the symposium and contribute to the advancement of Facility Management knowledge. The EuroFM Network encourages both academic and professional researchers to submit their papers and to join the EuroFM Research Symposium.

Key dates (extended):

16 February 2025	Deadline for abstracts
20 April 2025	Deadline for paper submissions
8 June 2025	Reviews to the authors
31 August 2025	Deadline for revised papers
27 September 2025	Final decision on acceptance
1 November 2025	Deadline for camera-ready papers
1-2 December 2025	EuroFM Research Symposium, Trondheim

Submissions
Please submit your abstract via email to riikka@eurofm.org by 16 February 2025.
You can find the author guidelines here.

We are looking forward to your submissions and interest in EuroFM Research Symposium 2025!

On behalf of the EuroFM Research Network,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Riikka Kyrö
Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee
Board Member, Research, EuroFM

Asst. Prof. Dr. Vitalija Danivska
Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee
Board Member, Research, EuroFM

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee,
Prof. Dr. Alenka Temeljotov Salaj
Prof. Dr. Carmel Lindkvist
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nora Johanne Klungseth
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savis Gohari

From 14 – 18 October 2024, the 13^th International Week took place at the Facility Management Department of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in Heerlen. Supported by EuroFM, this event again was a great success. More than 180 students participated during this EuroFM International Autumn School Facility Management which was conducted exclusively on location in Heerlen (NL).

Combined student groups from Zuyd UAS, FH Kufstein (Austria), DHBW Stuttgart (Germany), UCLL (Belgium), and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) competed in an exciting competition. Scores were tracked daily on a leaderboard, adding to the week’s excitement. The teams had to outdo each other with clever ideas on how companies in general, and Vebego in particular, can attract and retain young talent.

Clashing Cultures?
With students from different countries, various specialisations came together. According to lecturer and co-organiser Stephan van der Linden, “Dutch students often have more knowledge about soft services, such as hospitality and customer-centric approaches, while the German and Austrian students are more knowledgeable about hard services, such as technical maintenance”. “This leads to interesting discussions, and that’s exactly why they learn so much from each other during this event.”

Valuable Collaboration with Vebego
For the second year in a row, Vebego Facility Solutions was the client for the EuroFM International Autumn School Facility Management. During the week, students had the opportunity to offer their fresh perspectives on Vebego’s recruitment and retention policies. This provided valuable insights and improvements that Vebego can benefit from in the future. For the students, it was a unique opportunity to work with a leading company in the facility management sector, and for Vebego, it offered new perspectives to improve their connection with young professionals.

Students completed their group assignments with great success! Members of the jury included lecturers from the various participating schools/ FM programmes, and board members from both EuroFM as well as the Vebego Facility Solutions. The winning team was invited to visit the next EuroFM Conference and took home a certificate for € 1.500,- in order to facilitate their travelling and lodging costs during this visit. This cheque was presented to the winning team by Pieter le Roux on behalf of EuroFM.

Please check the higlights in the video below of the EuroFM Conference 2024 which took place in London on 10 and 11 June 2024.

THE EUROFM CONFERENCE WAS
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN

The Proceedings of the 23rd EuroFM Research Symposium, organized in connection with the 29th EuroFM Conference, held 9-12 June 2024 in London are now available. The theme of the 2024 conference,´Transformation for future-proof FM’, is reflected in the papers included in the proceedings. The paper topics fall under Digital Transformation, Green Transformation, Spatial Transformations, and Services in Transformation.

The proceedings comprise 23 papers, a delightful record in recent Research Symposium history! The Scientific Committee thanks all Authors for their hard work, dedication, and good collaboration during the process which started already at the end of 2023. They feel humbled that so many have chosen the EuroFM Research Symposium 2024 as an outlet for their research.

Congratulations to the winner Ronald Beckers for his innovative paper ‘Exploring the Home Office with Participatory Photography’!

The EuroFM Research Network wants to promote Open Access (OA) research. Consequently, the proceedings are available OA on Zenodo. Please check the following link to download your copy: https://zenodo.org/records/11658176

During a Charity Dinner at the EuroFM conference in London held on 10 & 11 June the Award for lecturer of the year was presented. There were several nominees but eventually a winner was selected who was being recognised for her unparalleled dedication, expertise, and passion in the field of Facilities Management.

The lecturer of the year 2024 is: Prof. Alenka Temeljotov-Salaj.
Congratulations on this award and recognition!

Prof. Alenka Temeljotov-Salaj’s beliefs that the future of Facilities Management lies in the synergy between multiple disciplines. Inspired by her unique background in psychology and construction engineering, she teaches an integrated approach that is interconnected in order to make an impact in students’ future professional practice.

She believes that the best learning happens when theory meets practice. This not only gives students hands-on experience but also creates a mindset of co-creation and value-creation which the sector can benefit from. It that wasn’t enough motivation, she is also the Vice-Dean for Innovation in the Faculty of Engineering and in just 2 years she developed a culture of innovation from zero in the faculty leading innovation bootcamps, bachelor and master theses innovation competitions, inspirational innovation talks and initiative on future innovation and entrepreneurship courses in engineering that will come. By integrating these principles into her teachings, Prof. Alenka Temeljotov-Salaj is shaping the next generation of FM professionals who are adaptive, innovative, and ready to tackle global challenges.

Student Award

Students from different backgrounds, facilities management, civil engineering, construction management, gave a presentation on how to transform the facility management industry.

During the EuroFM Conference 2024 three groups presented their findings where Group 1 talked about learning from experiences; connecting the field with education a lot more and providing students with more opportunities to cooperate together. Followed by Group 2 who talked about the internet of things and how we can make a huge societal and environmental impact. Finally Group 3 explained that the digital twin really is the way forward on the integration between construction, property management, and facility management.

The panellists had their favourites, but the audience was asked to vote too! It was a close call – at one point all three were at a tie. But eventually the winner of the student award was Group 3, consisting of Saif Ullah Khan and Harmeen Kaur. Congratulations, and see you at the next event! They have won a ticket to next year’s EuroFM Conference (incl. hotel accomodation) and a book by keynote speaker Simone Fenton-Jarvis.

The Best Paper Award 2024 was presented to Ronald Beckers for his innovative paper ‘Exploring the Home Office with Participatory Photography’!

The Outstanding Industry Initiative Award 2024 went to Intelligent Workplace Solutions Ltd for their initiative on Workplace Solutions for People and Planet.

We are proud to announce the programme for the EuroFM Facility Management Conference and EuroFM Research Symposium, scheduled to take place from 10 – 12 June 2024, in London, United Kingdom. This event is a collaborative effort between EuroFM, FMCE, and our valued partners who share a common goal of advancing the field of Facility Management.

Monday 10 June 2024

	Conference Day 1
08.30 – 09.00	Registration Delegates
09.00 – 09.15	Welcome remarks: Opening of the EuroFM Conference and Research Symposium	Maria Morapedi, FMCE Natalie Hofman, EuroFM Chair
09.15 – 09.30	Opening Insights: Transformation – more academic insights from London Met	Jane Ballantyne, Head of Built Environment, School of the Built Environment at London Metropolitan University
09.30 – 10.15	Keynote Session: Skills of the Future	Perry Timms, Founder and Chief Energy Officer at People & Transformational HR Ltd.
10.15 – 11.00	Panel Discussion EuroFM Ambassadors: FM as a profession and industry now an in 2025	Moderated by David Martinez, Global Director at FM House and EuroFM Ambassador Spain Panelists: Joung Hun (Jay) Youm, Michael May, Karin Schaad and Luciano Brunherotto
11.00 – 11.30	Coffee Break
11.30 – 12.15	Panel Discussion: Inclusive workplaces and diversity in FM	Moderated by Sofie Hooper, Head of Policy and Research at IWFM Panelists: Linda Alexander, Natalie Hofman, Chris Barnes and Samantha West
12.15 – 13.00	Workshop: ESG-CSRD and the contribution of FM; EuroFM Deep Coil and industry Needs	Moderated by Stephan van der Linden With: Klaus Homann, Olga van Diermen, Maris Boeringa, and Marlinda Dresden
13.00 – 14.00	Lunch
14.00 – 14.30	Speaker Session: Implementation of ISO Standards	Stan Mitchell, CEO at Key Facilities Management
14.30 – 15.30	Workshop: Reimagine: Circular Futures in 2035	Riikka Kyrö & Rebecka Lundgren
15.30 – 16.00	Coffee Break
16.00 – 16.45	Panel Discussion: Merger and acquisition activity in the FM market. What are the drivers and opportunities for the future	Moderated by Andrew Hulbert Panelists: Chiara Stella Camellini and Satvir Bungar
16.45 – 17.15	Speaker Session: Measuring ESG in the real estate environment in real time	Songo Didiza, Managing Director at Green Building Design Group
17.15 – 17.30	Wrap-up & Closing	Maria Morapedi, FMCE Natalie Hofman, EuroFM Chair
17.30 – 19.30	Networking Event with Students – meet FM professionals

Tuesday 11 June 2024

	Conference Day 2
08.30 – 09.00	Registration Delegates
09.00 – 09.05	Welcome to Day 2
09.05 – 09.45	Keynote Session: Transitions in FM with sustainability focus	Matthew Tucker, Director of Research at IFMA & Professor of Workplace and Facilities Management at LJMU
09.45 – 10.15	Speaker Session: Transformation requires new skills and standards. Are we ready to deal with the overload of data?	Gordon Mitchell, ESG – Net Zero – Digital Transformation – Operational Built Environment/FM
10.15 – 11.00	Student Vlog Competition: Being part of the EuroFM conference opens your door to your career in facility management or real estate	Moderated by Oluwaseun Ajayi With: Olga van Diermen, Pleun van Deurssen and Nipuni Sumanarathna
11.00 – 11.30	Coffee Break
11.30 – 12.00	Speaker Session: Transforming FM – Integrating Business Operations for Innovations	Olga van Diermen, Senior Lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
12.00 – 12.30	Speaker Session: Transforming into Standard FM Contracts	Sherif Khaled
12.30 – 13.00	Speaker Session: UrbanFM from a placemaking perspective	Pieter C. le Roux, Lecturer at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
13.00 – 14.00	Lunch
14.00 – 14.45	Panel Discussion: Redefining the Future: Why Hybrid Working is Obsolete and What Comes Next?	Moderated by Tom Ryckaert, Marketing & Communications Director at PROCOS Group Panelists: Alvaro Aguiar, Hannah Wilson, Kanha Pou and Chiara Tagliaro
14.45 – 15.30	Panel Discussion: Approaches to meet CSRD Compliance: Lessons from the SFMI Assessment	Moderated by Sunil Shah Panelists: Reid Cunningham and Agustin Cobelo
15.30 – 16.00	Coffee Break
16.00 – 16.30	Speaker Session: Organizations’ Leadership and the Issue of Professional Development of FM staff	Shukri Habib, Facilities Management Instructor | Consultant | Certified Facilitator of Training
16.30 – 17.15	Closing Keynote Session: People in FM	Simone Fenton-Jarvis, Founder and Chief Workplace Officer at The Human-Centric Workplace
17.15 – 17.30	Wrap-up & Closing	Maria Morapedi, FMCE Natalie Hofman, EuroFM Chair
18.00 – 21.00	Gala Dinner & Awards Venue: German Museum Restaurant

Wednesday 12 June 2024

09.00 – 10.30	First group – Facility tour to London Metropolitan University – Estates Department 15 people per group
10.30 – 12.00	Second group – Facility tour to London Metropolitan University – Estates Department 15 people per group
11.00 – 12.30	Facility tour to Arsenal Stadium 30 people max.

How to register

Go to www.eurofmconference.uk to learn more and book your tickets for this event.

The EuroFM Research Network is meeting for the 23rd time in June 2024! The theme of the symposium centers around transformation to contribute to future-proof Facility Management (FM).

The call for papers is now closed, please find the key dates below:

15 December 2023	Deadline for abstracts
07 February 2024	Deadline for paper submissions
28 February 2024	Reviews to the authors
27 March 2024	Deadline for revised papers
08 May 2024	Final decision on paper acceptance
22 May 2024	Deadline for camera-ready papers
10-12 June 2024	EuroFM Research Symposium 2024 in London

Please find more information on the submission process here.

This year’s EuroFM Research Symposium will be held on 10 and 11 June 2024 during the EuroFM Conference 2024 in London
More information on the programme can be found here.

On behalf of the EuroFM Research Network,
Dr. Tuuli Jylhä, Research Chair – EuroFM
Dr. Vitalija Danivska, Conference Chair – EuroFM
Maria Morapedi, Chair of the local conference organizer – AfricaFM and FMCE Founder

“Being part of the EuroFM conference opens your door to your career in facility management or real estate”

Venue: London MET University at 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB

Date: 10/11 June 2024

We invite students and professionals to join the VLOG COMPETITION during the EuroFM conference in London.

EuroFM would like to use the opportunity to connect students with facility management and real estate professionals in an informal setting. The start of a professional career can start at the conference by presenting yourself as an upcoming talent. EuroFM will organise a speed dating session during the Welcome drink on June 10^th, 2024, with a vlog competition. Students are asked to create a vlog upfront and during a speed dating session participant of the event, lecturers and researchers have the opportunity to listen to the vlog of the students, ask questions and start discussions.

The theme of the EuroFM Conference is Transformation

FM field has undergone (and continues going through) significant transformations, impacting every facet of the industry. It requires continuous evolvement of education of (future and current) professionals and business practices and state-of-the-art research. To move forward, we need to understand those transformations, educate people, and share best practices.

We invite students to present a 90 seconds vlog about your opinion of this theme, how do you think the transformation is going, where will it start and where will it end? What research and educational principles are leading to transformation and how would you like to be part of it.

Your 90 seconds vlog will be shown at the conference and during the speed dating. The five best vloggers (chosen by the formal jury) will be on stage on June 11^th in a panel discussion to discuss insights, opportunities and solutions. The panel discussion will be guided by a host.

The jury will decide after the panel discussion who is the winner of the vlog competition.

The winning team or student will get free access and hotel costs (excluding travel costs) to one of the upcoming EuroFM conferences in Europe. The winning vlog will be published on the EuroFM website and social media. The winning team or student gets the signed book Energized Workplace from our keynote speaker Perry Timms.

The Welcome Reception is organized with drinks and some snacks. Entrance is free for all participants of the conference.

Key Rules:

• Vlog competitors can be teams of at maximum 3 students or individuals.

Each university can enter a maximum of three vlog competitors. We encourage you to run the competition with larger groups but to select the top three to enter from your school. If

• you send more than three entries; we will only be able to include the first three in the competition.
• Vlog competitors must create upfront 90 seconds during vlog made in a landscape setting. It needs to be possible to send it digitally via we transfer.
• Work must be original and created by the student(s) – please do not use any templates.
• Vlogs will be judged on creativity, how well they fit the theme and how well the vlog has been made or drawn.  
• Vlog competitors names and university names will be announced on social media and on our website. If you do not wish for this data to be shared you should make this explicit on the entry form.
• Vlog competitors may be displayed and used for marketing, with only first names used.
• The extended deadline for entrance to the vlog competition is at 6pm on May 23rd 2024.
• Prizes are non-transferable.
• Vlog competitors into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
• The jury will be formed by representatives of EuroFM, FMCE and London MET University

Vlog competitors are asked to send their application and vlog to marketing@eurofmconference.uk.

EuroFM has 20 free tickets available for students who are joining the vlog competition during the EuroFM Conference on 10/12 June 2024 in London. First come principle is handled.

More information on the EuroFM Conference 2024 in London can be found here: www.eurofmconference.uk.

EuroFM would like to take the opportunity  to congratulate  all those involved in the FM Educational sector  lecturers, researchers and students on World FM Day 2024. It is thanks to your efforts that  the workplace of the future is in safe hands.

Facility Management is about those responsible for organizing and maintaining a safe, healthy and optimal working environment for employees, residents and visitors. In recent years, various topics have been discussed that have an immediate impact on the working environment. Themes such as financing and implementing sustainability and reducing shortages of energy sources, embracing inclusivity in the working environment, outflow of professionally mature pensionable employees, influx and reception of asylum seekers as a result of tensions in the world are not only contemporary, but require increasing attention. But meeting shortages in the labour market and the arrival of robots, the inability to avoid AI developments and the relationship between automation and the arrival of cybersecurity also require new knowledge. New hybrid working environments, specializing in workplace management, absorbing high workloads, new technologies and integrating inclusivity make facility management relevant and this field is developing rapidly.

As a European Facility Management Network, EuroFM is committed to connecting professionals, lecturers and researchers at an international level, sharing knowledge and exploring themes in depth. We do this in many ways such as , during our annual EuroFM Conference.  This year’s event takes place on June 10 and 11, 2024 in London.  We look forward  to welcoming you and engaging with you on a host of topics and discussions covering the latest developments and trends. The conference is being organised in conjunction with, IWFM and FMCE and is being hosted by the London Metropolitan University. Further details can be found on the following links www.eurofmconference.uk  or www.eurofm.org .

We encourage all students in the facility management field to join us in London and to participate in the vlog competition.

In order for our FM profession to thrive & prosper students need to expand their knowledge and understanding of FM and challenge the norms of today. Training courses in the field of facility management can be found everywhere in Europe, allowing young students to take their first steps in this fascinating field.  This training will help lay the cornerstone for a bright, interesting and challenging career path. With this in mind EuroFM, hosted by Laurens Lamberts, recorded a podcast during World Workplace Europe in Rotterdam that clearly illustrates the importance of students and how they are able to build a successful career in facility management.

We invite you to listen to this podcast on World FM Day, leave a comment and put our students in the spotlight.

On behalf of the Board of EuroFM and all members of EuroFM we would like to thank you for your contribution in helping FM to deliver on it’s potential to influence the workplace. You are heroes and we wish you all the best today, tomorrow and into the future.

Join EuroFM, become member and get access to the best European FM network: www.eurofm.org/how-to-join.

In the realm of Corporate Real Estate, the provision of high-quality and reliable FM Services hinges on a solid knowledge of your customer’s needs and habits to ensure a correct sizing of the service and a proper deployment of infrastructures and resources.

In the pre-pandemic era – with a 100% presence on-site policy for most companies – anticipating staff’s needs was relatively an “easy” task, and the FM Services offer was essentially dimensioned based on concrete and very regular historical data (such as staff presence in the office, attendance to company restaurants and cafeterias, parking occupancy, etc.).

Nowadays everything has changed!

One of the main challenges for FM Managers consists of responding to a continuously “variable” demand, affecting the ability to predict staff habits and needs in an accurate way.

Take Catering Services, for instance: staff presence varies every day in the office and – although we can identify some trends showing for example lower figures on Mondays and Fridays … no surprise – still it is quite challenging to establish a regular and consistent approach in terms of “sizing” of the offer and number of FM resources to be deployed on-site. This leads potentially to situations where FM Managers and their Providers tend to conservatively over-shoot in terms of quantities, resulting inevitably in wasted resources (not only food but time and number of personnel as well).

In a previous BLOG by Sean Gibbons (BLOG by Sean Gibbons, EuroFM Ambassador UK: Measuring workplace performance in the post-pandemic world • EuroFM) another very relevant topic has been explored in the context of post-pandemic, highlighting the need to establish an improved framework to “measure” workplace performance as we all transition toward more sustainable and hybrid ways of working.

How should we tackle this situation?

This is not a perfect science, however in my view there are essentially two main aspects to be considered:

• Firstly, introducing “flexibility” in contracts with external FM suppliers has become essential. The traditional volumes-based approach used to determine the size of the service is no longer 100% valid. It is important to establish more flexible terms, for example by including contractual scenarios giving the Providers the possibility to best tailor their services based on the actual demand and its variations.
• Secondly, we need more reliable data. In the era of digitalization, companies must rely more on data. Measuring staff habits through sensors has now become an accessible technology for all, however most organizations are still behind in terms of digitizing their workplace and facilities. This results in the inability to monitor staff demands and habits in an accurate and consistent way.

In conclusion, I believe that – despite the uncertainties lying ahead – this is a very exciting moment for the FM Managers, having the possibility to explore new technologies and tools that can enable us to work in a different and more productive way. Focusing on customer needs and at the same time responding to a growing need of integration between physical infrastructures and data, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and efficient way of managing our facilities.

In today’s fast-paced world, managing facilities effectively is crucial. Whether it’s an office building, a hospital, or a university campus, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently is key to success. This is where Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) systems come into play, offering a comprehensive solution to streamline operations and achieve operational excellence. Let’s delve into what CAFM systems are, their power, real-world examples, common mistakes, and a live tour of a CAFM system in action.

What is a CAFM System?

A CAFM system is a software platform specifically designed for facility management. It serves as a centralized hub that streamlines various aspects of facility operations, including asset management, work order management, preventive maintenance, and space management. By consolidating these functions into a single platform, CAFM systems provide facility managers with the tools they need to optimize their operations and improve efficiency.

The Power of CAFM Systems

The benefits of implementing a CAFM system are manifold:

1. Automated Workflows: CAFM systems automate repetitive tasks and processes, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error.
2. Increased Productivity: By streamlining operations and providing quick access to information, CAFM systems empower facility managers to accomplish more in less time.
3. Quick Access to Information: With all relevant data centralized in one platform, facility managers can easily access information such as maintenance schedules, inventory levels, and space utilization.
4. Reports in One Click: CAFM systems generate comprehensive reports with just a few clicks, providing valuable insights into facility performance and trends.
5. Better Decision-Making: Armed with real-time data and actionable insights, facility managers can make informed decisions that drive efficiency and cost savings.

Real-World Example: Database Centralization

Imagine a university with multiple buildings spread across a sprawling campus. Without a CAFM system, managing facilities efficiently would be a daunting task. However, by implementing a CAFM system with a centralized database, the university gains accessibility and reporting capabilities that enable them to optimize space utilization, schedule maintenance tasks effectively, and allocate resources efficiently.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While CAFM systems offer tremendous benefits, it’s essential to avoid common pitfalls:

• Focusing Solely on Price: Choosing the cheapest option may result in a system that lacks essential features or scalability.
• Selecting the Wrong System: It’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate CAFM systems to ensure they align with the organization’s needs and goals.
• Lack of Clear Strategy: Implementing a CAFM system without a clear strategy can lead to underutilization and inefficiencies.
• Incomplete Data Entry: Garbage in, garbage out. It’s essential to enter complete and accurate data into the system to maximize its effectiveness.
• Failure to Collect and Utilize Data: Simply collecting data isn’t enough. Organizations must have a plan in place to analyze and leverage that data to drive decision-making.
• Lack of User Adoption: If facility managers don’t buy into the system or receive adequate training, it may go unused, negating its potential benefits.

The pandemic changed many things, among these were where and how we work, & therefore the need to adapt how we measure the performance of our workplaces.

Prior to the pandemic, many organisations measured a narrow range of performance indicators mostly around cost and space efficiency. Typically, by adopting static ‘per person’ denominators such as full-time equivalents (FTEs) or headcount allocated to a particular building or floor. 

More progressive organisations also measured environmental performance in terms of energy consumption, water consumption, and some CO2 & waste arising. An enlightened few also measured the effectiveness of their workplaces through user perception surveys.

Whilst, even before the pandemic there was a growing trend to work from home, the pandemic accelerated this and the term hybrid working has become part of the common lexicon.

This is changing not only how we need to measure workplace performance but also how to subsequently develop strategies that can drive improvements. Old metrics such as the amount of space per FTE are becoming obsolete & new metrics are emerging around real time space utilisation. However, the technology around how we measure occupancy is changing fast & is yet to coalesce around a single solution & therefore metrics that can be compared between organisations. 

As the tables are turned & employers are required to take steps to lure workers back to empty offices, effectiveness is maturing into workplace experience; where employers are expected to be more creative in providing sustainable spaces, amenities, services & experiences that inspire their employees to be more productive & overcome any deficit incurred through travel costs & commute times.

For the individual, the benefits of hybrid working are clear in terms of improvements in wellbeing & work-life balance & there is a growing pool of data that supports this. However, the jury is still out from an organisational perspective & this is reflected in the range of policies towards working from home, with some employers demanding that people return to the office without any clear evidence that this will benefit organisational performance. Data from workplace surveys consistently suggests that people perceive themselves as being more productive from home, but this perception may not be reflected in actual productivity where engagement & collaboration are critical in achieving optimal outcomes. 

While traditional metrics around efficiency will always remain important, the requirement to balance these with sustainability, workplace experience & beyond is turning the way we measure performance upside down & more research & industry alignment on a common language & framework is needed.

And in closing, let’s not forget that a measurement framework is just the starting point – the biggest challenge when it comes to improved performance is how to take this data & use it to establish targets & develop & implement actionable strategies that deliver improved outcomes whilst balancing often competing interests.