FM newsroom – facility manager, AI in FM. Facilities management is stepping into a new era where data skills are becoming just as valuable as technical know-how. In 2026, leaders who can turn numbers into clear narratives will help shape strategy and influence decisions at the highest level.
A Data-Driven Turning Point
“Facilities management is entering a data-driven era where curiosity, interpretation and storytelling matter as much as technical expertise,” says Dr Matt Tucker, Director of Research at IFMA.
As organisations demand clearer links between workplace spending and business results, FM leaders who can translate data into meaningful insights for CFOs and CHROs are set to gain influence, secure budgets and play a bigger role in executive decision-making.
Skedda made five FM predictions for 2026, highlighting the growing importance of data storytelling, flexible workplaces and cross-department collaboration — along with practical steps to turn these ideas into reality.
1. A Long-Awaited Seat at the Table
Senior leaders are overwhelmed by dashboards yet still searching for clear answers. With growing pressure to justify spending and improve agility, the focus is shifting from collecting data to using it effectively.
FM teams that simply share spreadsheets risk falling behind. Those who provide context, outline options and explain trade-offs will stand out. Choosing the right metrics — and explaining what they mean — will be a defining skill in 2026.
In practice
- Replace ad-hoc dashboards with a monthly one-page executive summary.
- Tailor insights to specific stakeholders and speak their language.
- Track measurable outcomes for every recommendation.
2. Space Strategy Becomes Flexible and Experience-Led
Not all spaces will serve the same purpose in 2026. Organisations are designing workplaces around specific use cases and employee experience, recognising that well-designed environments boost engagement, productivity and retention. Offices must now “earn the commute” by offering spaces people genuinely want to use.
In practice
- Run real-estate experiments to identify the best use of space.
- Create office neighbourhoods for focus work, collaboration, social connection and quiet reflection.
3. AI as Co-Writer — With Humans in Control
With reporting demands increasing, AI is becoming a valuable partner in turning metrics into insights quickly. Executives expect AI-driven analysis linked to downtime, costs and energy performance.
Yet concerns around trust, security and job impact remain. The solution is a human-in-the-loop approach: AI drafts and analyses, while people validate assumptions and make final decisions.
In practice
- Use AI to draft summaries and highlight unusual patterns.
- Include sources for AI insights and ensure human review.
- Keep people closely involved in high-stakes decisions.
4. One Shared Source of Truth
The workplace is moving away from fragmented tools towards connected ecosystems where people, data and digital systems work together. As data flows between FM, HR and finance systems, governance becomes essential. Organisations with clean, well-managed data are seeing real progress with AI, while others remain stuck in pilot phases.
In practice
- Maintain a shared workplace data dictionary with clear definitions.
- Hold regular cross-department data-quality reviews.
5. ‘Planned vs Actual’ Data Drives Decisions
Flexible working has exposed a significant gap between booked space and actual usage. Many companies aim for 65% occupancy but see utilisation closer to 38%, highlighting the need for better measurement.
Usage also varies across the week, with mid-week peaks and quieter Mondays and Fridays. Understanding these patterns helps justify space changes and service levels.
In practice
- Compare booked versus actual usage and peak versus off-peak patterns.
- Test space changes as experiments before making them permanent.
- Prioritise integrations that reduce duplicate work across systems.
From Reporting to Storytelling
Success in the era of the FM Analyst is not about having the most sophisticated dashboards or sensors. The most effective FM teams in 2026 won’t have perfect data — but they will use what they have to tell clear, credible stories that shape the future rather than simply report on the past.