Business continuity plans are not a top priority for firms say facilities management professionals responding to BIFM's online research survey.
More than half of FM professionals claim that security and business continuity budgets have not increased since 7/7, highlighting the fact that perhaps business continuity planning is still not high on the agenda in many UK firms.

BIFM's online survey made up the research for the 'FM 2007 challenges and opportunities for the facilities management sector'. It revealed IT, buildings and infrastructure to be the elements most frequently included in a plan with human resources and supply management at the bottom of the criteria list.

'Following recent terrorist attacks and disasters such as the Buncefield fire, business continuance has become an increasingly common area of concern but these findings suggest that UK businesses are not giving it sufficient attention', said Iain Lowson, speaking at the BIFM research launch on June 21.

'Business continuity plans need to go beyond just looking at IT. It is common to omit those problems which are considered 'just too big to deal with' like a threat of a terrorist attack or the avian flu pandemic. Plans need to be holistic, covering all key business activities with clear strategies for dealing with the entire 'portfolio' of extreme events.'

I,500 facilities management (FM) professionals were asked their views by BIFM, the British Institute of Facilities Management to understand the challenges and opportunities the sector believes it will face during the next five years.

The survey also found that although 93% said FM departments were active in dealing with compliance related issues on a regular basis, they also said compliance with regulations is becoming increasingly demanding and 70% said they were more concerned about the risks associated with non-compliance than they were a year ago.

Another finding showed just under 70% said lifecycle sustainability is a required element of assessment within business cases submitted for capital purchases of plant, equipment or property. Less than 50% said the cost/benefit ratio of environmental programmes was regularly assessed.

The survey also revealed most FMs said they worked with four or more supply chain partners and over 40% work with more than 10.