You’ll need a college education, the ability to collaborate with a variety of professionals, and an understanding of the facilities planning process if you want to work as a facilities planner. You must be able to forecast future facility usage. For this job, different companies and organizations have different requirements. It may also be necessary to purchase equipment and furniture. A basic understanding of negotiating leases, working within local regulations, preparing cost estimates, interior space planning, and designing floor plans is required for most facilities planners.
An associate or bachelor’s degree is required for becoming a facilities planner, and some employers require a master’s degree. Architectural planning, business management, computer modeling, interior design, and other related fields of study should be the focus of your coursework. Check with each school to find out all of the details about their facility planning courses. Because this type of degree has so many different aspects, determining the specific requirements for a specific company may be a good idea.
A facilities planner’s primary responsibility is to anticipate and plan for the use of a company’s facilities many years in the future. Project planning for capital expansion and renovation of existing facilities is something you should be familiar with. This means evaluating current operations and facilities, estimating the amount and type of facilities required, and making recommendations for specific space requests. You’ll collaborate with those involved in the construction or preparation of a corporate facility, and you’ll present any recommendations to management or corporate executives.
You might end up working for a school district, college, or university if you work as a facilities planner for an organization other than a company or business. Facilities planners collaborate with bankers, architects, engineers, and contractors to design and construct student housing and classroom facilities. They must plan for future growth based on district boundaries, population studies, and estimates of future enrollment if they work for a school district.
Study the job description in detail to become a facilities planner. Some companies prefer a hands-on facilities planner with CAD training or experience. Other businesses require a facilities planner to procure furniture, fixtures, and equipment for any new or existing structures or workspace. A facilities planner’s other responsibilities include preparing floor plan drawings, monitoring ongoing construction or renovations, and managing construction contracts. Facilities planners may also be tasked with organizing and facilitating the transfer of furniture and equipment from one location to the next.