The Facilities Management Value Map: a conceptual framework

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework - the FM Value Map - to understand and explain the different ways in which FM can add value to a core business, and possibly to the surroundings. Design/methodology/approach - The value map has been developed based on inductive reasoning from an analysis of a large number of cases in an explorative empirical study of FM best practice in the Nordic countries of Europe. It has been tested and modified from discussions with practitioners in a Nordic FM project group and aligned with the current European standardisation of taxonomy for FM. Findings - The FM Value Map was successfully tested in a number of case studies from companies in the five Nordic countries. Research limitations/implications - The present version of the FM Value Map is not seen as a final model, but as a result of an initial development. The model should be tested and validated further and also refined. Practical implications - The FM Value Map can be used in general to provide a better understanding of the value and contributions of FM, for instance by FM organisations in the dialogue with their customers. Originality/value - The FM Value Map is a unique conceptual framework, and a comparison with other models shows that it provides the most holistic framework by including the impacts on the surroundings and all relevant stakeholders.