‘Cognitive facility management’: Definition, system architecture, and example scenario

Abstract

Prevailing facility management (FM) discourses have recognized the importance of efficient facilities to improve the quality of life and the productivity of business. Advanced technologies have elevated facilities from ‘bricks and mortar’ to ‘intelligent beings’. To date, facilities have become more anthropomorphized, imbued with cognitive capability akin to humans, e.g., able to perceive, learn, and act. However, the development of ‘cognitive FM’ remains in its infancy. This paper attempts to put forward the concept of cognitive FM by providing a working definition and articulating its key characteristics, including perception, learning, and action. An eight-layer system architecture is proposed to facilitate the implementation of cognitive FM. Following that, a demonstrative scenario called ‘Event Manager’ is utilized to showcase the potential applications of such cognitive FM. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge by advancing the stagnant FM discourses defined and subsequently confined by the smart/intelligent building language three decades ago. It opens a new avenue for both researchers and practitioners to better investigate and value FM as a cognitive system.