Programme for International Innovation in Facility Management
The future belongs not to those who keep their ideas to themselves, but to those who share them and nurture their growth.
The
Origin
The origin of the programme lies in an innovation project launched a few years ago by the FM Observatory. The aim was to maintain continuous awareness of the market’s activity and overall situation, while sharing best practices across the sector.
This initiative was aligned with FMHOUSE’s mission to support the Facility Management sector in an objective and ethical manner — in this case, through the production of reports that contribute to the development and recognition of the discipline. We have contributed numerous publications, and today, over 600 documents are available in our library, reflecting both our capabilities and the tangible value we bring to Facility Management at an international level.
Open Innovation
For several years, we received personal support from individuals who were keen to contribute to the activities of the FM Observatory. At a certain point, we noticed that the project was also attracting universities, public bodies and professional associations with whom we already had cooperation agreements. Their involvement brought with it a diversity of cultures, languages and perspectives on FM, it also allowed more people to participate, as each organisation could invite different individuals to join.
We also realised that these organisations were highly willing to contribute resources, as they recognised the value of the work carried out and appreciated the opportunity to expand both the scale and scope of activities — even going as far as to propose new ideas and areas of research.
With all this in mind, we set out to design a programme that would build on what we had already developed, while opening it up to new stakeholders, extending its international reach, and creating a more ambitious organisational structure.
It was time to shift our mindset: from waiting for others to take an interest in the project, to actively fostering relationships and encouraging participation from companies across different countries and backgrounds. Now, in addition to end clients, the programme welcomes organisations, institutions, service providers, startups and specialists from various fields who wish to collaborate with the initiative. These are the ideal ingredients for our open innovation formula.
Pillars
To ensure a sustainable and fully innovative ecosystem, the project is built on four key pillars that underpin all its activities:
Multilevel Collaboration
Interaction is promoted among companies, startups, academia, the public sector, and Facility Management experts.
Independent Thinking
Creativity and critical thinking are encouraged as part of a continuous process.
Market Intelligence
Market trends and needs are continuously monitored, enabling anticipation and the identification of unique opportunities.
Knowledge Management
The capture, organisation and valorisation of generated knowledge is promoted, facilitating its reuse and collective evolution as a foundation for new learning and solutions.
Innovation is not an option – it is the key to leading the future. (La innovación no es una opción, es la clave para liderar el futuro)
Benefits
Being part of the PIIA keeps you informed and facilitates interaction with other stakeholders. Depending on the level of involvement — whether more passive or more active — the benefits vary accordingly.
Unique Ecosystem
Being part of the PIIA enables interaction with companies, clients and suppliers, as well as with professionals and experts from across the sector.
Positioning
Staying informed about cutting-edge solutions makes it possible to offer a distinctive service to support departments and their providers.
Operational Excellence
The integration of new technologies and international best practices enhances operational efficiency, optimises processes, and maximises return on investment while reducing costs.
Maximising Resources
Joining the PIIA is more cost-effective than developing an in-house innovation programme and can also serve as a valuable complement to an existing one.
Collaborative Learning
Reports on sector trends are produced and shared, while opportunities for personal development are offered through workshops and expert-led sessions.
