Facilities management DCMA

Planning, designing and managing the buildings, space and facilities which, collectively, make up the IT estate.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Updates for SFIA 9

There is an updated version of this skill for SFIA 9.
Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
Readability improvements have been made to levels 3 and 6.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include — but are not limited to:

using data centre management tools
provisioning and managing the physical environment, including power, space, and cooling
adhering to established safety, security and quality standards
monitoring the environment and providing statistics on energy usage
controlling physical access
adhering to mandatory policies and regulations concerning health and safety at work.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Facilities management: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Monitors compliance against agreed processes and investigates, assesses and resolves incidents of non-compliance, escalating where necessary.

Grants users required physical accesses and monitors and reports on overall access control.

Facilities management: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Uses data centre management tools to produce management information on power, cooling and space and investigate issues where necessary.

Carries out routine audit and checks to ensure adherence to policies and procedures.

Facilitates the implementation of mandatory electrical safety testing.

Facilities management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Develops and maintains the standards, processes and documentation for data centres.

Optimises efficiency in the population of data centre space. Ensures adherence to all relevant policies and processes.

Uses data centre management tools to plan, record and manage installed infrastructure, power, space and cooling capabilities.

Monitors usage and actions to meet sustainability targets.

Facilities management: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Sets the organisational policy for managing the IT estate and ensures that policy reflects best practice.

Develops strategies to ensure future requirements for data centre space can be forecast and fulfilled.

Takes overall responsibility for adherence to health & safety regulations and electrical safety policy.

Seeks out and ensures use of industry best practice to ensure future plans are aligned to meet corporate sustainability targets.

Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.