IFMA CFM Exam
Certified Facility Manager (Page 8 )

Updated On: 9-Feb-2026

To satisfy the needs of one of its largest customers, your company is opening a new facility about 1240 miles/2000 kilometers away from the corporate offices. Initially, the new operation will only support one customer. However, the company expects more customers will be added in the next three to five years. The plan is that the corporate office will support operations in the new facility.
What is the best way to manage the facility requirements of this new operation?

  1. Use a temporary agency for facility services and manage everything from the corporate office.
  2. Hire a permanent staff of facility employees for the new operation.
  3. Contract with an outsource company to provide facility management services for the new operation.
  4. Relocate some existing facility employees to the new operation.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Outsourcing facility management services (C) is the best solution for a new operation that will expand over time.
Advantages of outsourcing:
Provides flexibility for future expansion
Reduces overhead costs
Ensures service continuity without permanent staffing commitments Why not other options?
(A) Temporary agency staff may lack the expertise for long-term operations. (B) Hiring permanent staff is premature for an evolving operation. (D) Relocating existing staff could disrupt corporate operations.


Reference:

IFMA Core Competency ­ Facility Information & Strategy



During a renovation or construction project, the MOST cost-effective changes that reduce operating and maintenance costs focus on what?

  1. Engineering and practical installation details
  2. Location of restrooms
  3. Architectural design
  4. Furniture configuration and layout

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Engineering and practical installation details (A) have the greatest impact on long-term operating and maintenance costs.
Key benefits:
Optimized HVAC and energy systems
Efficient plumbing and electrical layouts
Reduced future maintenance costs
Why not other options?
(B) Restroom location impacts convenience but not cost efficiency.

(C) Architectural design affects aesthetics more than O&M costs. (D) Furniture layout is flexible and does not impact building operations.


Reference:

IFMA Core Competency ­ Operations & Maintenance



You receive numerous complaints from occupants in a facility about technology "dead zones" within certain areas of the campus. The complaints indicate that wireless connections fail and mobile phone signals drop when in a specific area of the facility.
What additional information do you require to successfully address this issue?

  1. Wireless repeater locations
  2. Wireless frequencies affected
  3. Time of day outages occur
  4. Mobile phone service provider

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Identifying wireless repeater locations (A) is the most relevant step in resolving dead zones because signal coverage depends on proper placement of wireless access points and repeaters.
Why is this the best choice?
Allows optimization of Wi-Fi and cellular coverage
Helps in identifying interference or obstructions
Why not other options?
(B) Wireless frequencies affected help diagnose interference but do not resolve coverage issues. (C) Time of day outages may indicate congestion but not physical dead zones. (D) Mobile phone service provider matters only if the issue is carrier-specific.


Reference:

IFMA Core Competency ­ Facility Technology Management



An organization is considering relocating from leased building #1 into leased building #2. Leased building #1 is 55,000 sq. ft. costing $1,100,000 annually. Leased building #2 is 50,000 sq. ft. costing $1,100,000 annually. Building #1 can house 500 people and building #2 can house 580 people. The company's benchmark is $2,000.00 per person per year for leased space.
What is the MOST important reason to know what the company's benchmarks are?

  1. It allows other organizations to measure against your results.
  2. It structures your recommendations in a method your managers require.
  3. It provides a quantitative measure to support your recommendations and decisions.
  4. It simplifies the budgeting process.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Knowing company benchmarks provides a quantitative measure (C) that supports informed decision- making in real estate and facility planning.
Benchmarking allows for comparisons of space efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Why not other options?
(A) External comparisons are secondary to internal decision-making. (B) Structuring recommendations is beneficial but not the primary reason. (D) While benchmarks aid budgeting, they primarily validate decisions.


Reference:

IFMA Core Competency ­ Real Estate & Space Planning



You are assigned to manage a janitorial contract for a large facility, and a dispute has arisen over the method and frequency for cleaning the hallways.
What is the most expedient strategy for resolving the dispute?

  1. Mediation
  2. Negotiation
  3. Litigation
  4. Arbitration

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Negotiation (B) is the quickest and most cost-effective way to resolve disputes in a facility contract. Negotiation fosters a direct dialogue to reach a mutual agreement before escalating to formal legal procedures.
Why not other options?
(A) Mediation involves a third party, which can prolong the process.
(C) Litigation is costly and time-consuming.
(D) Arbitration is binding and may remove flexibility in decision-making.


Reference:

IFMA Core Competency ­ Contract Management






Post your Comments and Discuss IFMA CFM exam prep with other Community members:

Join the CFM Discussion