Course Overview

This practical, hands‑on programme equips Facilities Management staff with the technical, financial, and spatial planning competencies required to manage modern facilities efficiently. The training integrates inspection techniques, defect identification, cost estimation, budgeting, and space‑planning fundamentals to strengthen operational excellence and sustainable cost management.

Target Participants

• Office Coordinators
• Maintenance Coordinators
• Facilities Officers & Assistants
• Building Administrators
• Property & Estate Management Staff
• Junior Engineers & Technicians
• Anyone supporting facilities operations or maintenance planning

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Conduct technical inspections and identify defects across building systems
• Evaluate maintenance needs and prioritise corrective actions
• Prepare and manage facility budgets, forecasts, and cost‑saving strategies
• Understand civil construction cost estimation and auditing principles
• Apply sustainable cost‑management practices in facilities operations
• Develop functional space‑planning layouts and interior design concepts
• Communicate effectively with contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders

 Foundations of Facilities Management

• Role of Facilities Management in organisational performance
• Key FM functions: operations, maintenance, safety, space, and cost control
• FM standards and frameworks (ISO 41001, SANS standards, OHS Act)
• Stakeholder engagement and communication

 Technical Inspection & Defect Identification

2.1 Principles of Technical Inspection

• Types of inspections: routine, preventive, compliance, and condition‑based
• Inspection tools, checklists, and digital reporting systems
• Understanding building components: structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC

2.2 Defect Identification & Classification

• Identifying common defects: cracks, damp, corrosion, leaks, wear, safety hazards
• Root‑cause analysis for defects
• Prioritising defects using risk‑impact matrices
• Documenting findings with photos, notes, and severity ratings

2.3 Practical Exercise

• Guided facility walk‑through
• Hands‑on defect identification
• Completion of inspection checklist and reporting template

 Budgeting, Forecasting & Sustainable Facilities Cost Management

3.1 Budgeting Essentials for Facilities

• Types of FM budgets: operational, capital, maintenance, project
• Cost categories: utilities, repairs, cleaning, security, consumables, contractors
• Creating annual FM budgets

3.2 Forecasting & Cost Control

• Forecasting maintenance and replacement costs
• Life‑cycle costing (LCC) and asset depreciation
• Cost‑saving strategies and efficiency measures
• Vendor and contract cost management

3.3 Sustainable Cost Management

• Energy‑efficiency strategies
• Water‑saving technologies
• Waste‑management optimisation
• Green building principles and sustainability ROI

3.4 Practical Exercise

• Develop a sample FM budget
• Analyse cost‑saving opportunities

 Civil Construction Cost Estimation & Auditing

4.1 Introduction to Civil Construction Costs

• Understanding BOQs (Bills of Quantities)
• Labour, material, equipment, and overhead cost components
• Reading construction drawings and specifications

4.2 Cost Estimation Techniques

• Preliminary estimates vs. detailed estimates
• Unit‑rate calculations
• Estimating repairs, renovations, and small works

4.3 Auditing Construction & Maintenance Works

• Verifying contractor claims and invoices
• Site measurement and verification
• Identifying overpricing, variations, and non‑compliance
• Documentation for audit trails

4.4 Practical Exercise

• Prepare a simple cost estimate for a repair/renovation
• Audit a sample contractor invoice

 Space Planning & Interior Design Fundamentals

5.1 Principles of Space Planning

• Understanding organisational space needs
• Space utilisation metrics
• Zoning, circulation, and workflow optimisation
• Ergonomics and user‑centred design

5.2 Interior Design Fundamentals

• Colour theory, lighting, and materials
• Furniture selection and layout
• Branding and aesthetics in office environments
• Accessibility and universal design

5.3 Tools & Techniques

• Reading and interpreting floor plans
• Basic CAD/space‑planning software introduction
• Creating functional layout options

5.4 Practical Exercise

• Develop a simple office layout
• Space‑utilisation analysis

 Integrated FM Case Studies & Group Work

• Real‑world FM challenges
• Inspection → Costing → Budgeting → Space Planning workflow
• Group presentations and facilitator feedback

Training Methodology

• Instructor‑led presentations
• Hands‑on inspections and practical exercises
• Group discussions and problem‑solving
• Case studies and real‑world scenarios
• Templates, checklists, and FM toolkits

Expected Outcomes

Participants will gain:

• Strong technical inspection and defect‑identification skills
• Confidence in budgeting, forecasting, and cost‑control
• Ability to estimate and audit civil construction works
• Practical competence in space planning and interior design basics
• Improved decision‑making and FM operational efficiency