Sustainability in FM Technical Group
Terms of Reference
January 2011
1.0
Background
Operating within the BIFM, the Sustainability in FM (SFM) Programme aims to embed the
findings and outputs from the Sustainable FM Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) into
the Institute’s operations and to extend the learning into other areas of knowledge within
BIFM.
Key project deliverables are good practice guides, case studies and relevant information for
facility management professionals to develop their understanding and competences in the
principles of balanced sustainable facility management practices. As a result, it is important
that the SFM programme is aligned to support information for BIFM qualifications and
services provided to members and the industry expectations. The Technical Group will
provide support and knowledge on technical sustainability issues.
2.0
Purpose
The Technical Group will support the development of content for the ‘Sustainability in FM’
web portal, peer review information to be published on sustainable facilities management, in
order that it may be applicable by those who influence the management and performance of
new and existing building stock.
3.0
Objectives
The main objectives of the Technical Group are to:
1. Support the Research Associate in the Sustainability in FM programme
2. Support the definition of the end user requirements
3. Peer review case studies, articles and other materials for the web portal, good
practice guides, short briefings, webinars and podcasts
4. To monitor the technical information and quality of case studies provided for the SFM
web based portal against the key sustainability issues being addressed by the BIFM
for the professional development of BIFM members.
4.0
Activities
The Technical Group will perform the following activities:
 Review, comment and advise on the technical quality of sustainability information
and data, to ensure that the end products are in line with industry expectation;
 Attendance and participation at Technical Group meetings
 Review and consider any implications for the coherence of information throughout
the programme
 Support the Research Associate via provision of existing information and knowledge
 Provision of advice and support to the Research Associate particularly on the content
or material that will be presented at a series of workshops; questionnaire surveys and
interviews to engage wider stakeholders
5.0
Accountability
The Technical Group will operate in accordance with the Constitution and Articles of the
BIFM and will comply with the policies and codes of practice of the Institute. The Technical
Group will be accountable to the BIFM Sustainability in FM Management Group (Sarah
Hunnable, Abbas Elmualim, Wisdom Kwawu and Carolyn Knight) for the conduct of its
affairs and will report its activities to this Management Group after every meeting.
6.0
Meetings
The Technical Group will meet when required. The Chairperson of the Technical Group will
arrange for a record of meetings held and matters discussed to be prepared. The
Chairperson of the Technical Group will arrange for summary reports to be posted on the
Sustainability in FM website portal.
7.0
Membership of the Technical Group
The Technical Group will consist of between 3 and 10 members. Members will be either a
current Individual Member, a nominated Corporate Member of the BIFM, or represent an
independent body with a specialism in sustainability. All members will be expected to act in
accordance with the Code of Conduct of BIFM and observe the requirements in respect of
confidentiality.
Confidentiality. It is an express requirement that all Technical Group members should
personally undertake to respect the confidentiality of privileged information that they may
obtain access to as part of their membership of the Technical Group and will warrant not to
use such information for personal advantage and/or commercial gain. The need to safeguard
commercially sensitive information in respect of contractual relationships will also be
considered as appropriate and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest raised with the
Chairperson of the Technical Group.