Pass the IFMA Facility Manager CFM Questions and answers with CertsForce

The best practice is to use data that is valid and relevant (D) to ensure meaningful analysis and decision-making.

Effective performance management depends on accurate, comprehensive data covering both successes and failures.

Why not other options?

(A) Hiring an independent consultant may be unnecessary and costly if internal resources can conduct the analysis.

(B) Focusing only on subpar performance ignores opportunities for overall improvement.

(C) Restricting analysis to 12 months may exclude valuable long-term trends.

For change management to be effective, in addition to vision, incentives, action plan, and resources, skills (Option C) are required to ensure successful execution.

Why Option C is Correct?

Skills enable leaders and employees to adapt to new processes, technologies, or structures in facility management.

Change management is a structured approach that requires communication, conflict resolution, and leadership abilities to ensure smooth transitions.

IFMA’s Leadership & Strategy Core Competency emphasizes that FM professionals must have the skills to implement and sustain change initiatives successfully.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Directives): Simply issuing directives does not guarantee successful change—people must be trained and skilled to adapt to change.

Option B (Experience): While experience helps, change management focuses on equipping people with new skills to handle evolving challenges.

A Facility Manager’s primary role in emergency preparedness is to create an emergency plan and ensure that employees are trained to respond (Option C).

Why Option C is Correct?

Developing a comprehensive emergency plan is a core responsibility under IFMA’s Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity competency.

Training employees ensures that everyone knows how to act in an emergency, reducing confusion and improving response times.

Emergency planning includes evacuation routes, fire safety protocols, crisis communication, and business continuity measures.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Ensure materials and equipment are on hand): While important, this is a part of emergency planning, not the primary role of the FM.

Option B (Ensure communication devices are in place): Communication is one aspect of preparedness, but without a solid plan and training, response efforts may still fail.

A fundamental responsibility of facility managers is ensuring that the facility provides a safe and clean environment for its occupants. The IFMA core competency Operations and Maintenance states that facility managers must oversee and ensure the maintenance of building systems to support operational continuity while maintaining safety and hygiene​.

Ensuring Safety: This includes compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, fire safety codes, and emergency preparedness measures.

Clean Environment: Hygiene and cleanliness impact employee productivity and health, reducing absenteeism and increasing workplace satisfaction.

Preventative Maintenance: Regular facility inspections, HVAC system management, and janitorial services are integral to maintaining a functional environment​.

Aligning the facility management plan with corporate objectives (D) is important but falls under Leadership & Strategy, which is a higher-level function. C, maintaining logs, is a part of record-keeping but is not the primary duty. A, ensuring tenant relationships, is important but secondary to safety and cleanliness​.

Churn (Option A) refers to the frequency of personnel relocations within a facility.

Why Option A is Correct?

Frequent office moves require space planning, furniture reconfigurations, and logistical management.

IFMA’s Operations & Maintenance Core Competency recognizes churn as a key factor in workspace management.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option B (Fresh air flow): Churn is not related to ventilation.

Option C (Occupancy decisions): Churn tracks move frequency, not decision-making.

Solar energy generation (B) does NOT contribute to a company's carbon footprint because it is a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Why not other options?

(A) kWh consumption directly impacts carbon emissions.

(C) Fossil fuel use is a primary contributor to carbon footprints.

(D) Stormwater runoff affects water pollution but is not a direct carbon emission factor.

Increasing turf areas (Option B) contradicts water conservation principles as turf requires excessive watering.

Why Option B is Correct?

Turf grass is high maintenance and requires frequent irrigation.

Sustainable landscaping favors drought-resistant plants, mulch, and shading to reduce water needs.

IFMA’s Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Core Competency emphasizes minimizing water use in facility management.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Using mulch/shading to reduce evaporation): A best practice in water conservation.

Option C (Planting with irrigation in mind): Efficient irrigation planning reduces water waste.

The Best and Highest Use principle in real estate valuation requires passing four tests:

Physically Possible – The land or building must accommodate the intended use.

Legally Permissible – Must comply with zoning, environmental laws, and regulations.

Financially Feasible – Must generate enough income or benefits to justify the investment.

Maximally Productive – Must provide the highest return compared to other uses.

While strategic planning (A, C) and location (D) are important considerations, they do not meet all four criteria required for determining best and highest use​.

A safe, clean, and pleasant environment is critical for employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. Facility managers contribute by:

Ensuring workplace safety and ergonomic comfort.

Providing a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Improving air quality, lighting, and noise control.

Why the other options are incorrect:

(A) Childcare and recreation areas are beneficial but may not be feasible for every company.

(B) Collaborative workspaces are useful but do not address core environmental concerns.

(D) New furniture and equipment enhance comfort but do not guarantee better retention​.

For a large-scale construction project, the final payment is made only after receiving all deliverables, closeout documents, and lien releases (Option C).

Why Option C is Correct?

A project is not considered fully complete until all deliverables, warranties, and lien releases have been submitted.

Lien releases ensure that contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers have been fully paid, preventing future legal claims.

Closeout documents include as-built drawings, operation manuals, and warranties, which are critical for facility operations.

IFMA’s Project Management Core Competency states that FM professionals must ensure all final compliance, legal, and financial obligations are met before final payment.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (At the time of substantial completion): Substantial completion means the building is functional, but minor work (punch list items) remains. Final payment should not be made until all contractual obligations are met.

Option B (After 100% construction completion): While physical construction may be completed, final administrative tasks, legal documentation, and compliance verifications must still be finalized before payment.