Facility manager perspectives on building condition assessment for Portuguese higher education institutions

This study aims to provide an overview of the building condition assessment at the facility management stage in higher education buildings in Portugal. A questionnaire survey containing 188 questions was developed and was responded to by experts in the facility management departments of 19 higher education institutions (HEIs) in Portugal. The data analysis, using analytic hierarchy process, showed the difficulties related to the process of facility management and building condition assessment and the experts' preferences in building condition assessment and facility management in Portuguese HEIs. Four building condition assessment parameters were also evaluated. Although not representative of all HEIs in Portugal, the findings indicate that there needs to be a significant change in the management of the HEI building stock with the support of new digital technologies and the prioritization of preventive actions. This unique view of facility management in Portugal provides useful pointers for facility managers working in HEI in other (European) countries and has relevance to other building typologies.

Automated summary

This study provides an overview of building condition assessment and facility management in higher education buildings in Portugal. The survey conducted on experts from 19 higher education institutions revealed difficulties in these processes and preferences of experts in Portuguese HEIs. The findings suggest the need for significant changes in managing HEI building stock with the use of digital technologies and prioritization of preventive actions. This study offers valuable insights for facility managers in HEIs in other European countries and other building typologies.