Advanced Diploma in Facility Management

Purpose

The main purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Facility Management is to educate and train learners according to the standards set by both the international and the South African Facility Management Associations, developing knowledge of the economic, legal, technical, and management aspects of facility management.

The purpose of educational qualification is designed to meet this standard of building the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing professional.

The aim of the qualification is to provide learners with the ability to develop knowledge and skills to make contributions to their disciplines and to the rapidly changing world. This qualification is designed to prepare learners for postgraduate study through the deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices, as well as through the application of problem-solving related to the management of facilities which includes efficient management of support services, maintenance, new project development as well as assessment of existing facilities to determine the feasibility of upgrades.

The discipline of facility management and the role of facility managers are evolving. Therefore, learners need to be able to operate at two levels - strategic and operational. At the operational level the learner needs to ensure proper operation of all aspects of built facilities to create an optimal, safe, and cost effective environment for the occupants. At the strategic level learners need to be informed about the potential impact of their managers' decisions on the provision of space and services. Therefore, the Advanced Diploma in Facility Management covers a body of knowledge that includes the management of business processes, people and technological and knowledge resources to ensure the functionality of the built environment and achieve strategic objectives for organisations.

The qualification will enable learners to be knowledgeable about organisational behaviour, strategic planning, business continuity, emergency preparedness planning, environmental health and safety management, architectural/engineering design, real-estate planning, space programming, human resource management, financial management, construction management, technology management, and asset management. They will also gain experience using the latest digital communication and analytical tools in the field. The facility management profession is a broad-based technology management field that requires individuals to have depth and breadth in their education and, eventually, their work experience in order to enhance the quality of life aspects within the work environment.

The qualification focuses on the planning, execution, and management of facility management projects. The work of a facility manager mainly comprises the following:

• Ensuring efficient management of facility related support services.
• Managing the maintenance of facilities.
• Assessment of properties and facilities.
• Planning and programming of projects relating to facilities.
• Controlling and managing contractors and service providers.

The learner will also be a practical problem-solver and a self-motivated achiever who enjoys working in multidisciplinary teams. Learners will be goal-orientated, enjoy working in a project environment, and have the ability to communicate with and motivate people at all levels.

Good human relations as well as the ability to think logically and report on situations in an orderly manner are important as the facility manager needs to develop close relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Rationale

The construction industry is experiencing rapid and significant changes in the way it operates and in the way it is managed. These changes require greater and improved quality of management at all levels in the construction process, comparative to the management of organisations and undertakings in other industries. Construction is an increasingly complex and difficult undertaking that requires a broad range of management knowledge and skills that are adapted and applied to the particularities of construction.

The construction industry provides significant career opportunities for learners in both the public and private sectors. Learners can enter the construction industry as a practitioner, such as an estimator or contract manager, or as a professional, such as a construction project manager. With climate change and environmental impact, a prominent concern in this industry, learners with a comprehensive knowledge of sustainability practices are in high demand.

Physical assets can represent a significant financial investment for an organisation. Careful attention must be paid to the development, operation, and maintenance of these facilities. Well-trained managers keep these valuable assets operating in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Situation/Needs analysis

The Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa (HRDSA) 2010 - 2030 (Republic of South Africa (RSA, 2009)), emphasises the need for a national "scarce skills list" which is aligned to South Africa's social and economic priority goals. Construction project manager on the List of Occupations in High Demand: 2014, No. 38174 Government Gazette, 4 November 2014'. Hence, these necessitate the specialised training for professional Facility Managers' with specific construction industry knowledge. Due to the complexity and importance of this field of study in the construction industry and the era of green building, as well as the increasing demand for legislative compliance, there is a dire need for suitably qualified personnel as well as researchers in the facility management. This qualification is designed to prepare learners within the construction industry as well as through the application of problem solving to management of facilities, including cost.

The following specific objectives will be met

• To provide an opportunity for specialisation in Facility Management and in improving technical proficiency that will address the shortage of critical and scarce skills in the country.
• To produce competent Facility Management practitioners that are both academically and technically equipped to meet the challenges of the industry.
• To prepare graduates for entry to Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and proceed to Master's Degree in Construction.
• Preparation for a career in Facility Management and achieving technological proficiency in order to make a meaningful contribution to the economy and national development.
• The education that will serve as a base for registration as a professional Facility Manager with South Africa and internationally.
• For learners with an appropriate level of achievement, the ability to enter NQF Level 8 qualifications and then proceed to Masters Degrees.
• A qualification designed for individuals mainly employed in the Facility Management industry to achieve proficiency in Facility Management.

This qualification is intended for those specialising in the field of construction management. Learners of this qualification will be competent to independently perform services relevant to contract planning management and property development.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills against a qualification or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through information, non-formal and/or formal learning. RRL provides an opportunity to identify the learning and the have it assessed and formally acknowledged.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning processes.

Gaining access

If an applicant has considerable work experience, but does not meet the entry requirements of this qualification, the applicant may apply for entry into this qualification through RPL. This is referred to as "access". The RPL application will be evaluated against the entry requirements of this qualification according to the Institutional RPL policy.

Advanced Standing

An applicant might have gained knowledge and/or experience in specific areas, when compared to the Exit Level Outcomes against this qualification that might cover some subjects. The applicant may apply for recognition of these subjects and this is called "advanced standing". Once the assessment is done, the institution will give recognition for specific subjects, but not for the entire qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A 360 Credit Diploma in Construction, National Qualifications Framework, NQF Level 6.
• A 240 Credit Diploma in Construction together with the 120 Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Credits.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

• Facility Management, 20 Credits.
• Maintenance Management, 10 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 10 Credits.
• Property Law, 20 Credits.
• Construction Project Management, 10 Credits.
• Green building Technology, 10 Credits.
• Property economics and valuations, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Construction Technology, 10 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 10 Credits.

1. Apply Construction and Facility Management (FM) principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined Building Facilities Management problems.
2. Apply knowledge of construction mathematics, natural science and management, supported by established models, to aid solving broadly-defined FM problems.
3. Perform procedural and non-procedural design of broadly defined components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
4. Define and conduct investigations and experiments of broadly-defined problems.
5. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern FM tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined FM problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with FM audiences and the affected parties.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of construction activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by defined procedures.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of project management principles and apply these principles to one's own work, as a member and leader in a technical team and to manage projects.
9. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
10. Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commitment to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of FM practice within own limits of competence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, formulate and solve broadly defined FM problems.
• Critically analyse the context in which the problem exists.
• Verify the problem through a clear and concise problem statement.
• Critically analyse on-going cost analysis of maintenance and provide permanent solution to building facility maintenance works and Facility repairs' associated problems.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of problem solving using project management techniques formalism and oriented and modelling fundamental knowledge of natural science: both as relevant to a sub-discipline or recognised practice area.
• Comprehensively consider appropriate techniques available to solve the problem.
• Appraise these techniques for their suitability to solve this problem.
• Appropriately select the most effective techniques/methods from established analytical, computational and experimental methods or new and innovative methods.
• Correctly apply the technique and consider the outcome.
• Take appropriate action based on the outcome.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of construction mathematics and sciences underlying their FM specialisation, to conduct realistic feasibility studies of client requests, to analyse completed work and prepare and arrange payment to contractors and allocate upcoming work to contractors appropriately.
• Obtain in-depth knowledge and understanding of FM tools, techniques, etc. underlying their specialisation, at a level necessary to achieve the qualification outcomes.
• Apply the most appropriate and relevant techniques, methods, from established analytical, computational and experimental methods or new and innovative methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Conceptualise building facility products, and agree client requirements and preferences through analytical assessment of user needs and options. Also have proven in-depth Knowledge on appointment of necessary consultants in establishing project brief, objectives, priorities, constraints, assumptions and strategies in consultation with the client.
• Objectively manage, co-ordinate and integrate the detail Building Facility within the project scope, time, cost and quality parameters.
• Comprehensive understanding of applicable techniques and methods of analysis, investigation and selection of components, systems, FM works, products or processes to be designed is dependent on the sub-discipline.
• Establish and implement appropriate procurement strategies and procedures, including the preparation of necessary documentation, for effective and timeous execution of the project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Conduct investigations of well-defined problems through locating and searching relevant codes, policies, legislations and catalogues.
• Identify, locate and obtain required data.
• Investigate and conduct scientific research of broadly-defined technical issues.
• Conduct searches of literature, to consult and critically use databases and other sources of information, to carry out simulation in order to pursue detail.
• Consult and apply codes of practice and safety regulations.
• Conduct experimental investigations, critically evaluate data and draw conclusions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify, select and apply the most appropriate and relevant methods from established analytical, computational and experimental methods or new and innovative methods in problem solving.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of applicable techniques and methods of analysis, design and investigation and of their limitations.
• Apply practical skills, including the use of computer tools, for solving complex problems, realising complex construction design and conducting complex investigations.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of applicable FM materials, equipment and tools, engineering technologies and processes, and of their limitations.
• Apply in-depth management and administration skill of the facility contracts and process, including the preparation and co-ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate effective execution of the works.
• Apply norms of Construction and FM practice.
• Co-ordinate the process of managing and administering the project closeout, including preparation and co-ordination of the necessary documentation to facilitate the effective operation of the project.
• Apply construction and construction related management principles to systematically diagnose and solve well-defined construction and construction problems.
• Apply knowledge of construction and facility management to applied facility management procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve well-defined construction problems.
• Conduct investigations of well-defined problems through locating and searching relevant codes, policies, legislations and catalogues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Apply diverse methods to communicate effectively and unambiguously with FM peers, related FM personnel and unskilled persons.
• Conclusions and recommendations must have data, knowledge and rationale underpinning it with the message being well-defined and unambiguous to specialist and non-specialist audiences in national and international contexts.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of Modelling drawings, as well as subject-specific methods to communicate effectively.
• Function efficiently and effectively in national and international contexts, as a leader or member of a team, that may be composed of different disciplines and levels, and that may use virtual communication tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Differentiate between the characteristics of several groups of stakeholders with differing and conflicting needs and the impact of their need within the Built Environment.
• Understand the Construction and FM principles related to the environment, with emphasis on causes of problems and technologies for abatement.
• Demonstrate the impact of energy sustainability and global warming; thermodynamic fundamentals; engines (combustion technologies, fossil-fuel pollution, carbon capture and sequestration) on the economy.
• Identify potential socio-economic benefits of Wind, solar, biomass, and other renewable energy sources.
• Understand and demonstrate the study of green building, focusing on key approaches to advancing sustainability through construction and building facility products designed.
• Understand the impact of current building Facility products, design, manufactured, and disposal processes; including toxicity and benign alternatives; policy implications; pollution prevention and source reduction; separations and disassembly; material and energy efficiencies and flows; systems analysis; bio-mimicry; and life cycle design, management, and analysis.
• Understand the legislation and legal policies on the state of environmental pollution in South Africa; the economics of pollution; internalisation of environmental costs: polluter pays principle; beneficiary pays principle, and full-cost pricing.
• Apply practical application of environmental engineering fundamentals to solve real-world environmental and human-health problems in underdeveloped regions of the world. Issues related to water and wastewater treatment, water-and air-quality monitoring and control, subsurface remediation, and hygienic infrastructure.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Possess critical awareness of the wider multidisciplinary context of Construction and FM and knowledge issues at the interface between different fields.
• Obtain knowledge and understanding of the technical and non-technical societal, health and safety, environmental, economic and industrial - implications of Construction and FM practice.
• Select and apply the most appropriate and relevant technique or methods from established analytical, computational and experimental methods in problem solving.
• Function efficiently and effectively in national and international contexts, as a leader or member of a team, that may be composed of different disciplines and levels, and that may use virtual communication tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Identify a research area that is relevant to the workspace and has a tangible benefit to the body of knowledge and the community at large.
• Comprehensively develop research questions that are supported by a research problem that has been well articulated based on existing literature.
• Demonstrate sound research practice ethics by acknowledging and referencing every source of information.
• Demonstrate sound research ethics by following all institutional protocols as set out by the ethics committee whenever sensitive information is used in the research.
• Effectively formulate a research methodology that includes a comprehensive account of the research method and the techniques that will be employed.
• Correctly identify and apply measuring instruments and statistical analysis tools, if appropriate, to be used during the research.
• Successfully produce and defend a research proposal that will lead to a postgraduate qualification.
• Successfully produce peer reviewed conference papers and journal articles.
• Demonstrate, through their references and citations, continuous use of resources such as Institutional repositories, eDatabases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Understand and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of FM and construction technical practices.
• Critical awareness of economic, organisational and managerial issues (such as project management, risk and change management).
• Comprehensively describe and discuss the laws according to the current Labour Relations Act of Republic of South Africa (RSA).
• Professionally apply these laws in accordance with the company policies and in a real life scenario of unionised workforce.
• Apply these principles to create a social culture of inclusion, cohesion, understanding and working together for the better of all parties involved.

Integrated Assessment

The curriculum objectives have been aligned with the teaching/learning activities and assessment tasks during the design of the qualification. Due consideration was given to the professional bodies: (SACPMCP and SACQSP) requirements during the design of the qualification curriculum. Teaching and learning activities were developed around the curriculum objectives, together with appropriate assessment tasks. In alignment with the University's Assessment policy, continuous assessment will be used. Types of assessment tasks are varied across subjects, and are appropriate for the curriculum objectives and teaching/learning activities used.

The method selected for a specific subject will be determined by the Exit Level Outcomes to be attained as well as the competencies a learner should have.

Two specific areas of importance include the qualification is tutorial and laboratory based work (practical). These are used to reinforce the theory and to facilitate learning. These components play a vital role in the teaching, learning and understanding of Construction and Construction Health and Safety principles and practices. The practical component is used to facilitate hands-on learning and create an interactive approach using any of the other approaches. The practical that will be performed will be relevant to the theory for a specific subject but will also aim to develop additional skills through an integrated approach of the application of theory, use of computers, application of different computer software packages to generate the relevant reports, working under pressure, working as part of a team, and delivering on time.

This strategic teaching, learning and assessment philosophy will be enhanced by staff participating in research, conferences, workshops and seminars. The knowledge gained through these interactions will be used to keep the subject and qualification content up to date and relevant.

All the modules for this qualification will be evaluated in accordance with the assessment policy of the institution as approved by the senate of the institution. A learners' competence will be an evaluated using formative and summative assessments and could be hand written or computer based. The types of assessment to prove competency are linked to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and will include the following:

• Tests are used to evaluate a learner's understanding of theoretical concepts and fundamental principles.
• Laboratory/Practical Work will take place in a practical environment and will be used to reinforce the theoretical concepts and fundamental principles handled in a class environment.
• Projects/Assignments will be used to encourage self-study and research topics that are not necessarily covered in detail in class so that learners gain the knowledge needed as a qualified professional.
• These will normally be submitted in the form of a report to evaluate if learners are able to communicate effectively in writing using the appropriate report structure, language structure, style and also graphical support.
• Presentations: Some assignments and projects will be in the form of individual learner and/or group presentations in order to evaluate if learners are able to orally communicate effectively using the correct computer technology, appropriate presentation structure, language structure, style and also graphical support.
• Tutorials will be used to prepare and also to check a learners' preparedness for assessments such as tests; to evaluate the application of theoretical concepts and fundamental principles; and to encourage learner interaction such as group work and group discussions.
• Industrial visits will be used to expose learners to the working environment and to demonstrate practically some of the theoretical concepts and fundamental principles handled in class.
• Final Integrated Summative assessments (FISA) are normally in the form of a three-hour examination at the end of first semester (for 1st the semester subjects) and 2nd semester (for the 2nd semesters and 2 semesters modules). It normally covers most of the syllabus that was handled during the course of the semester and is used to evaluate a learner's competence.