Assessment
How are candidates assessed on the BIFM Qualification?
Candidates on the BIFM Qualification are assessed on knowledge and experience of facilities management. Assessment is based on the detailed criteria of the BIFM competences, a mix of generic and specialist subject areas grouped into six key management groupings.
Candidates on the BIFM Qualification are assessed on knowledge and experience of facilities management. Assessment is based on the detailed criteria of the BIFM competences, a mix of generic and specialist subject areas grouped into six key management groupings.
What level is the BIFM Qualification?
The knowledge component is at first-degree level and needs to be complemented by significant facilities management experience of three to five years. Candidates on the Professional Competence (PC) route will usually have at least five years’ experience and will also be Members or Fellows of the Institute.
The knowledge component is at first-degree level and needs to be complemented by significant facilities management experience of three to five years. Candidates on the Professional Competence (PC) route will usually have at least five years’ experience and will also be Members or Fellows of the Institute.
Is the assessment all examination-based?
No. Assessment of knowledge varies between routes:
No. Assessment of knowledge varies between routes:
- Examination route – formal examinations set by the BIFM. Click here for details of Part I assessment and here for Part II assessment.
- Higher Education (HE) route – usually a combined assessment by examination, coursework and assignments, depending on the course chosen. For further information, please contact individual BIFM accredited courses listed on HE providers.
- Professional Competence (PC) route – portfolio of knowledge and evidence.
What about experience?
Assessment of experience on all three routes is through a portfolio of evidence. On the Examination and HE routes, candidates complete the assessment of knowledge before progressing to the portfolio stage. On the PC route, candidates demonstrate knowledge and experience by compiling a portfolio of evidence.
Assessment of experience on all three routes is through a portfolio of evidence. On the Examination and HE routes, candidates complete the assessment of knowledge before progressing to the portfolio stage. On the PC route, candidates demonstrate knowledge and experience by compiling a portfolio of evidence.
What does the portfolio involve?
Candidates forward six separate submissions of evidence, each based on one of the management groupings of the BIFM competences. Submissions are based on practical experience in the workplace and could include key documents such as:
Candidates forward six separate submissions of evidence, each based on one of the management groupings of the BIFM competences. Submissions are based on practical experience in the workplace and could include key documents such as:
- reports
- meeting minutes or actions
- presentation of a business case
- relocation strategy
- examples of communications to internal clients or the FM team.
- certificates of attendance on related training courses (PC route only)
Is it possible to include organisational statements and documents?
The purpose of the portfolio is for a candidate to show evidence of individual professional competence. A Health and Safety policy, for example, would need to be supplemented by a personal account of how H&S has been introduced into an organisation and how challenging issues have been managed or overcome. This will give a clear picture of a candidate’s managerial skills and expertise in the implementation or development of company policy and strategy.
The purpose of the portfolio is for a candidate to show evidence of individual professional competence. A Health and Safety policy, for example, would need to be supplemented by a personal account of how H&S has been introduced into an organisation and how challenging issues have been managed or overcome. This will give a clear picture of a candidate’s managerial skills and expertise in the implementation or development of company policy and strategy.
Is there any advice or support available to help candidates prepare the portfolio?
Candidates who register on the qualification programme are given guidance notes and access to the candidate Helpline. The Professional Standards and Education team is also available to offer administrative support and advice on presentation and selection of appropriate material to include in the portfolio.
What happens once the portfolio has been successfully completed?
Candidates are invited to attend an interview with the BIFM Qualification Panel. This is an opportunity for more in-depth discussion of aspects of the portfolio, together with FM trends and issues, future aspirations and experience of the qualification programme.
How is the achievement of the BIFM Qualification recognised?
After the interview, the Qualification panel makes a formal recommendation to the BIFM Executive and Board for ratification of the award of BIFM Qualification. Successful candidates are invited to receive their certificate at a national or regional event and are entitled to use the post-nominals BIFM(Qual).
After the interview, the Qualification panel makes a formal recommendation to the BIFM Executive and Board for ratification of the award of BIFM Qualification. Successful candidates are invited to receive their certificate at a national or regional event and are entitled to use the post-nominals BIFM(Qual).
BIFM (Qual) “alumni”
In line with the Institute’s policy on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), all members entitled to use post nominals are expected to undertake CPD activities and show a commitment to their own and others’ professional and personal development. For further information on CPD click here.
In line with the Institute’s policy on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), all members entitled to use post nominals are expected to undertake CPD activities and show a commitment to their own and others’ professional and personal development. For further information on CPD click here.
Documents
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Article: the Portfolio
