Top 9 Facilities Management Trends That Defined 2025 — And What’s Next

Facilities management continues to evolve, shaped by new technology, stricter regulations, and changing workforce expectations. For facility managers, that means balancing daily operational challenges with the pressure to innovate, often on tighter budgets.

Plus, managers must be ready to train FM teams to use technology in ways that support overall operational efficiency. However, because supporting employee well-being is a trend in itself, facility managers must find ways to balance innovation and burnout prevention.

Keeping pace with these changes is easier when you know where the industry is heading. The right visibility into your data, agility in how your team works, and focus on peak performance across every asset can help you stay ahead instead of reacting to what’s next.

Here are the 9 biggest facilities management trends that shaped 2025 — and why they still matter as we move into 2026.

1. Artificial Intelligence

AI and machine learning are transforming how facilities are managed. For facility managers, AI offers visibility that was once impossible. Data that used to live in spreadsheets or vendor-created reports can now be updated in real time to guide smarter decisions. 

Now, AI-powered analytics can identify patterns in work orders and flag recurring issues before they disrupt operations. In large corporate offices, AI tools can analyze occupancy data to optimize energy use and cleaning schedules. In sectors like healthcare or retail, that same data helps teams focus resources as needed.

Also, AI-powered building automation systems (BAS) take this a step further by connecting HVAC, lighting, and other environmental systems into a single intelligent network. These systems continuously adjust conditions based on usage and sensor data, both improving comfort and reducing unnecessary energy usage.

With ServiceChannel’s platform, facility managers gain a single source of truth that integrates AI-driven insights directly into key workflows, which helps your teams shift from reactive to proactive maintenance.

2. Sustainability

Sustainability is increasingly an expectation from regulators, customers, and investors alike. In some regions, sustainable energy use is being written into law. Spain’s Climate Change and Energy Transition Act (2021) is one example, although it’s not the only one.

Facility managers are under growing pressure to cut emissions, use energy more efficiently, and meet new reporting requirements. Those efforts can feel complex, but with the right level of visibility into your energy data, sustainability can be simple to manage.

To meet these demands, an increasing number of facilities are switching to energy-efficient equipment, using energy management software, and adopting green building practices. The use of data analytics and energy management systems is helping facilities managers to identify areas where organizations can reduce their energy consumption. Reducing energy use also comes with the added benefit of lower energy costs.

ServiceChannel can help you centralize data from energy systems and service providers in one platform. That means you have easy access to the insights you need to prioritize the sustainability projects that deliver measurable ROI, without sacrificing facility performance.

3. Digital Platforms

Digital tools can replace most paper-based processes. There are numerous FM software platforms that your team can use. 

A centralized digital platform, like a CMMS solution, cuts down on manual errors and gives your team instant access to the data they need. It’s the kind of visibility that keeps things moving and minimizes surprises. As a result, your team won’t have to take time manually updating records.

4. Real-Time Data Analytics

In facilities management, every minute counts. Real-time data analytics give facility managers the visibility to act before small issues turn into major disruptions. When you have connected sensors and IoT devices feeding continuous data into your maintenance systems, decisions no longer rely on guesswork or outdated reports.

Predictive maintenance powered by real-time analytics also helps teams schedule service when it’s actually needed, not too early, not too late. This precision reduces overservicing, extends asset lifecycles, and lowers maintenance costs. It also means fewer unplanned outages, which translates directly into better performance at your facility.

The ServiceChannel Platform integrates IoT data and analytics to provide a single view of asset health, work orders, and service provider performance. That level of visibility helps your team prioritize resources efficiently.

5. Hybrid Work

Hybrid and remote work are normalized in most industries. Although there are some roles where allowing staff to work remotely is not possible, such as maintenance staff or healthcare workers, allowing some remote work for as many employees as possible has numerous benefits.

Firstly, it’s more cost-effective because you won’t need to pay for as much office space. Secondly, it makes your facility more attractive to job seekers, which can be a good way to help your team fill skill gaps. Third, research indicates that remote employees are 35-40% more productive.

6. Upskilling

Facilities management teams are facing a skills gap. The industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, especially of those with the needed technical skills to manage increasingly digitized operations. Outsourcing and additional hiring can help fill some skill gaps, but these measures can only take you so far. 

Upskilling the people you already have helps build long-term agility. That’s because investing in technical training helps team members understand the systems they rely on daily, reduces dependency on outside contractors, and strengthens performance across the board. It also boosts retention, since employees who feel confident in their abilities are more likely to stay.

7. Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance has always been a concern in the facility management industry. Some organizations are required to follow certain standards, regardless of what the current trends are. However, the scope is widening. More facilities, more systems, and more data are becoming subject to new regulations.

Since May 2025, new PFAS reporting rules have expanded to cover more facilities — requiring detailed data records on usage, disposal, and hazards under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).Before 2025, only about 180 listed PFAS chemicals from large manufacturers had to be reported. Since May, all PFAS from every manufacturer or importer must be reported.

Additionally, some compliance frameworks require more detailed proof that a facility meets regulations compared to in the past. For example, the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) framework is a long-standing framework that is making drastic changes in 2025. This year, auditing standards will require auditors to finish and retain complete documentation within 14 days, instead of the previous 45 days.

ServiceChannel can help you maintain compliance by providing centralized documentation that tracks all work orders, assets, and service provider activity. That level of visibility means you have all the information that you need during audits, faster reports, and the peace of mind that every regulation is met (or clear knowledge of where violations exist, so you can act immediately).

8. Preventive Maintenance

At most facilities, a reactive “break-fix” approach to maintenance has been retired. There are some specific use cases where the reactive maintenance approach may still be valuable, but these cases aren’t common. Generally, taking a more proactive approach to maintenance is better for cost savings, productivity, and safety.

Adopting a proactive maintenance program can be made simple with the right preventative maintenance software solution. ServiceChannel is that solution. Our platform can help you streamline operations, track when maintenance work is performed, and send work orders to the right teams.

9. Cost Management

The rising cost of materials, labor, and energy continues to strain every facility’s budget. Leaders are being asked to do more with less. Achieving that balance requires visibility into where every dollar goes and how each decision affects performance.

Modern analytics make it possible to pinpoint inefficiencies and uncover where you could save costs without cutting corners. That’s because analytics tools (like the one from ServiceChannel) help you track where you’re spending the most, so you can assess how necessary those costs truly are. 

Stay Ahead of Emerging Trends With ServiceChannel’s Facility Management Solutions

It’s an exciting time for facility managers. While these rapid changes may feel overwhelming, think of them as great opportunities to re-evaluate how you direct your FM teams and your building management practices. If you’re spotting inefficiencies, then it may mean that you need a better facilities management software solution.

ServiceChannel’s platform can help you stay up-to-date with 2025’s facility management trends. Our solution is a unified FM platform that covers work orders, asset histories, maintenance planning, service provider sourcing, and more! We also support predictive maintenance through IoT sensor data and alerting to forecast equipment issues before failure.