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Become an expert in sustainability
The leading credential for you to meet the increased needs for sustainable operations and improve the triple bottom line for your company.
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Trusted by 1,500+ facility professionals at some of the world’s largest companies
Everything you need to learn to make an impact
This credential course is packed with the latest insights and best practices to help you support your company’s growth and meet the evolving demands of environmental responsibility.
“The SFP is a major segment in supporting and maintaining an organization's sustainability mission and vision by providing FMs with the knowledge and resources to execute, deliver and maintain sustainable buildings and infrastructures. “
“The SFP credential helped me translate abstract concepts into practical application!”
“Earning my SFP helped me to do all I can to achieve the highest sustainability goals for my employer.”
“My SFP was very valuable because it gave me ways to build the value case for my buildings.”
What’s Included
Learn key strategies and tactics such as improving operational efficiencies, energy purchasing and consumption, and also introduces the emerging trends like ESG, circular economy and more.
Building a Sustainable Facilities Program
Understand the impact of global and local sustainability goals and regulations on facility operations. Study the balance of the triple bottom line, environmental sustainability and relationship between organizations and climate change.
Sustainability Strategy
Compare organizational strategies and consider the impact of the 5 principles of sustainability. Study development of sustainable strategies, policies and initiatives and learn to prepare the business case.
Planning for Sustainability
Learn how to promote sustainable facility management practices and develop business cases and a process-based approach to develop strategies, policies and sustainability initiatives.
Understanding Financial Language
Explore creative financial mechanisms to reduce implementation costs of sustainability initiatives and understand common financial concepts and identify options for procurement.
Energy Management
Deep-dive into sustainable energy fundamentals and solutions to become more efficient at energy management.
Water Management
Deep-dive into water management and learn conservation best practices such as water reclamation and more.
Materials and Consumables Management
Understand the considerations when using sustainable versus consumable solutions, learn how to build a sustainable supply chain and monitor its efficacy.
Waste Management
Learn how to understand and explain the considerations needed when exploring sustainable waste solutions in your facility.
Workplace Management
Make your workplace facilities more efficient and enjoyable by understanding when and how to use workplace management solutions.
Implementing a Sustainability Initiative
Learn how to outline the process of implementing a sustainability initiative and establish baseline metrics.
Managing Change
Learn the three stages of change, how to identify and mitigate change resistance, and how to create an effective communication plan.
Evaluating & Reporting
Discover how to effectively evaluate a sustainability initiative, create an evaluation for your facilities, and how to propose revisions to your organization's current initiatives.
The leading credential to help you upskill and meet the needs of your demand organization’s triple bottom line.
- Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle
- Strategic Framework
- Communications Plan
- Change Management
- Business Strategy
- Material Management
- Reporting Techniques
- Financial Planning
“Sustainability is the future for organizations. And the SFP gave me a great foundation to be a part of the conversation!”
“The SFP taught me how to develop plans and quantify projects to ensure we approach them strategically.”
“With the SFP, I’m able to help management understand the importance of reducing waste.”
“The SFP creates value and changes the perception that FM is just a cost center.”
Improve operations. Deliver results.
Develop Better Strategy
Apply strategic framework for sustainability planning to your facilities.
Improve change management
Understand who to involve in sustainable culture shifts and recognize contributors.
make a business case
Learn how to gain buy-in and report on sustainability improvements.
engage with others
Connect with other facility professionals in optional learning labs. *
discuss key topics
Participate in thoughtful discussions to solidify learning. *
learn business reporting
Learn the art of creating communications and strategic plans.
*Learning Labs are optional, virtual classes designed to promote course engagement. Coming in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you work through one (1) chapter and its corresponding final assessment per week, you can finish the SFP in 14 weeks. On average, it takes 46-67 study hours to complete the entire program (this doesn’t factor in the optional, virtual SFP Learning Labs).
You will have access to the full SFP program for 1 year (12 months) from your activation date.
No, but full members are given discounted pricing. Learn how to become a full member today! (https://www.ifma.org/membership)
No. We’re deeply committed to sustainability, so the SFP program is completely online. Optional printed materials are available for an additional fee. Email corporateconnections@ifma.org to order printed materials
The SFP was designed to help you operate buildings sustainably, whether they're certified or not. Once you certify a facility, you must maintain that certification. Those who hold the SFP credential are an extension of that and can apply their knowledge of sustainable practices into every aspect of their role in the organization.
Think of the SFP as an investment in future protection of your building certification.
Our subject matter experts added the following emerging trends and current events into the course content:
- Circular economy
- United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- ESG
The SFP is achievable for facility professionals with a basic understanding of FM fundamentals and resource usage measurement. We strongly advise being knowledgeable in the four foundational competencies of FM, as covered in the FMP:
- Operations + Maintenance
- Finance + Business
- Leadership + Strategy
- Project Management
To be recognized as an SFP, you’ll submit an application once you've completed all final assessments.
When your application is officially approved, as an SFP you’ll receive:
A confirmation email from IFMA
A lifetime listing in our credentials registry
A digital certificate of your achievement and a digital badge for verification of your knowledge.
Use this to share your credentials with current/potential employers, decorate your LinkedIn profile, include in your email signature and more.
For more information on accessing your digital badge and certificate, email credentials@ifma.org.
Yes! Switching to the new, updated SFP program is easy. All you need to do is contact training@ifma.org and request an update. The process usually takes 1 business day to complete.
We would love for you to bring your sustainable facilities knowledge up-to-speed with the learning content in the new SFP updates. To be enrolled into the updated SFP, please contact training@ifma.org. You will only have access to the updated online content, and your access will last for 6 (six) months from the date of activation.
Yes, we do offer corporate and group training. Special pricing applies for groups of 2 or more individuals. Contact us at corporateconnections@ifma.org to learn more.
“The SFP program has been very beneficial to my development, providing me with the knowledge and tools to enhance my workplace. It has also shown my leadership benefits by giving confidence and weight to the ideas I bring them.”
“Recommended for anybody looking for practical knowledge of sustainability.”
“Great course! I can now assist my customers with sustainability initiatives.”
“Discuss and accelerate ideas into actions, by establishing sustainable practices for the FM Community.“
Learn new skills and increase your value as a facility professional
Join thousands of facility managers who have advanced their careers.
Full Member
- 25% OFF Standard Price!
- Lifetime Access
- No Prerequisites
- Flipbook and PDF
- 3 Units (12 chapters)
- 50+ Hours of Content
- Study aids and flashcards
- Internationally Recognized
- Sustainability Best Practices
Standard
- Lifetime Access
- No Prerequisites
- Flipbook and PDF
- 3 Units (12 chapters)
- 50+ Hours of Content
- Study aids and flashcards
- Internationally Recognized
- Sustainability Best Practices
Have questions? Contact sales
Still unsure? We’ll help you find your training.
Our Career Compass quiz or Self Assessment tool will help you find the FM training that’s right for you.
To those that make it possible
A special thanks to all of the volunteers of the Certificate Commission who help solidify
IFMA credentials as the world-leading education for facility managers.
- Christopher Hodges, P.E., CFM, FMP, RRC, LEED AP, IFMA Fellow
CHAIR - Paul Ratkovic, CFM, FMP
VICE CHAIR - Stephen Brown, CFM, FMP, SFP, CPE, MBCP, CBCPP, CESCO REM
- Bill Conley, CFM, SFP, ProFM, LEED AP, IFMA Fellow
- Vaughn Halliday, MSc., CFM, FMP, SFP, PMP, ProFM, AssocRICS, LEED Green Assoc
- Jomy Jacob Jo, CFM, SFP
- Lesley Koehler, CFM, FMP, SFP