Episode Details

What does it mean to “think like an FM analyst”?

In this episode of Connected FM, Dr. Matt Tucker, Director of Knowledge and Insights at IFMA, sits down with Drew DePriest, Director of Workplace Services, Vendor Management at Salesforce, to unpack the evolving role of data, analytics and AI in facility management.

Drawing on insights from IFMA’s The Rise of the FM Analyst report, they explore why the FM analyst isn’t a job title, but a mindset grounded in curiosity, problem solving and cross-functional thinking. From fragmented data systems to the growing importance of storytelling in the C-suite, the conversation highlights what it takes to turn data into decisions that drive real business value.

They also dive into:

• The six key traits shaping modern FM professionals
• Why data confidence is still a major gap across the industry
• How FM fits into the broader enterprise data ecosystem
• The role of AI as a “co-pilot” for analysis and decision-making
• What the next 5–10 years of FM could look like in a digital-first world

This episode is sponsored by TMA Systems! Discover more at https://www.tmasystems.com/ifmapodcast

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:50 Six Traits Breakdown
• 06:29 Are Traits Happening
• 08:40 FM In Data Ecosystem
• 10:57 Tool Stack Reality
• 13:14 From Reports To Decisions
• 14:49 AI As Copilot
• 17:17 AI Confidence Concerns
• 19:37 Skills Training Pathways
• 22:21 FM In Five Years
• 24:01 Wrap Up And Outro

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