Pass the IFMA Facility Manager CFM Questions and answers with CertsForce

The Tuckman model of team development includes five key stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning​.

Option D (Performing) is correct because it represents the phase where teams work efficiently and effectively toward goals.

Option A (Adjourning) is the final stage, not the fourth.

Options B (Completing) and C (Reporting) are not part of the official Tuckman model.

At the Performing stage, teams function independently, solve problems efficiently, and maintain high productivity​.

The best security practice to prevent unauthorized access is Identification and Authentication. This process ensures that only authorized personnel can access a facility’s work order system by:

Using secure logins (e.g., username/password, biometrics, multi-factor authentication).

Verifying user identities before granting system access.

Implementing role-based permissions to control system functions per user authorization level.

While data encryption (Option B) secures stored data, it does not control system access. Similarly, a proprietary user interface (Option C) is not a security measure on its own, and an HR employee database (Option D) is unrelated to system security​.

The best practice for reviewing SLAs in environmental stewardship-related services is to ensure that they align with industry best practices (Option A).

Why Option A is Correct?

SLAs should incorporate sustainability-focused best practices to ensure energy efficiency, waste management, and eco-friendly operations.

Benchmarking against environmental standards (such as LEED, ISO 14001, or WELL Building Standard) ensures compliance with sustainability goals.

IFMA’s Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability competency highlights the importance of best practices in sustainability-focused FM operations.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option B (How to negotiate the regulatory requirements): Compliance is important, but SLAs should be based on best practices, not just regulatory minimums.

Option C (How to calculate maintenance and utility costs): Cost calculation is part of financial planning, but sustainability SLAs focus on best practices, not just financials.

KPIs should be aligned with stakeholder expectations as outlined in ISO 41001 and IFMA’s Performance and Quality Management competency​.

Stakeholders (A) dictate KPIs as they define service expectations, including tenants, employees, and executives.

Facility managers (B) and teams (C) may influence KPIs, but they must align with business needs.

CEO input (D) is valuable but is not the sole basis for KPI selection.

Effective KPIs should be measurable, relevant, and directly linked to service quality goals​.

The best initial response to a power struggle in a project team is to reestablish meeting guidelines (Option A).

Why Option A is Correct?

Reestablishing clear expectations, roles, and communication norms helps resolve conflicts without escalation.

IFMA’s Human Factors and Leadership & Strategy competencies emphasize that FM professionals must facilitate collaboration and team alignment in cross-functional projects.

Clear meeting guidelines help maintain focus on project objectives rather than departmental conflicts.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option B (Reassign additional members from each department): Adding more people does not resolve underlying conflicts and may create further division.

Option C (Reassign project managers): Changing leadership midway through a project can disrupt progress and should be a last resort.

To reduce reliance on natural gas power and lower greenhouse gas emissions, the best strategy is to purchase green energy credits (Option A).

Why Option A is Correct?

Green energy credits (RECs - Renewable Energy Certificates) allow organizations to offset their energy consumption by supporting renewable energy production.

This approach directly contributes to reducing carbon footprints while ensuring the facility remains operational.

IFMA’s Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Core Competency emphasizes the importance of renewable energy adoption to achieve sustainability goals.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option B (Lights-out policy at night): While reducing energy use helps, it does not significantly reduce dependence on fossil-fuel power sources.

Option C (Buy electricity from a coal power plant): Coal power plants produce higher emissions than natural gas, making this option counterproductive.

BIM creates a virtual environment (C) that can be used by emergency personnel to analyze escape routes, fire hazards, and security vulnerabilities.

BIM aids in emergency planning by offering real-time access to building layouts, exits, fire suppression systems, and structural integrity.

Why not other options?

(A) BIM does not track individual occupants in real-time.

(B) BIM is highly relevant for emergency preparedness, especially in risk analysis and planning.

(D) While BIM provides data for emergency planning, it does not predict the exact course of an emergency.

A Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) System is designed to manage real estate portfolios, space planning, and asset tracking. It provides centralized data on owned and leased properties, making it easier for facility managers to track leases, maintenance, and space utilization. This system supports strategic decision-making regarding property management​.

The Request for Information (RFI) is the first document that a facility manager should send to potential contractors. The IFMA Project Management competency states that before soliciting proposals, facility managers should gather relevant information to determine which vendors or contractors are qualified​.

RFI (B) gathers details on a contractor’s experience, capabilities, and past projects.

RFP (C) comes later and is only sent to pre-qualified contractors.

Pricing information (A) is premature before determining contractor qualifications.

Letter of Intent (D) is issued after selection, not in the initial phase.

Using an RFI ensures the facility manager only invites capable contractors, improving efficiency and project outcomes​.

The IFMA Sustainability competency highlights the importance of clear, engaging communication to drive employee engagement in sustainability​.

Option C (Correct): Concise, inspiring communication fosters enthusiasm and action.

Option A (Over-communicating) may overwhelm employees.

Option B (Setting unrealistic goals) can lead to frustration and disengagement.

Option D (Creating competition) may not align with company culture.

Effective sustainability messaging inspires participation and accountability​.