Free IFMA CFM Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 5

Implementing strategies and systems for a healthy workplace (Option B) best promotes indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupant health.

Why Option B is Correct?

FM professionals must ensure that air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and ergonomic conditions enhance occupant well-being.

It includes air filtration, ventilation, noise control, and humidity regulation.

IFMA’s Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Core Competency highlights IEQ as a key area of facility management.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Monitoring ambiance, safety, and lighting): Important, but a broader system approach is needed.

Option C (Monitoring hazardous conditions): Monitoring alone is not enough; proactive management strategies must be in place.

Facility management communication strategies, such as newsletters, play a key role in keeping occupants informed about operations, upcoming changes, and ongoing projects. The correct answer is:

Providing updates on facilities services ensures transparency and helps users understand how their needs are being met.

Why the other options are incorrect:

(A) Tracking complaints is useful, but the primary goal of communication is not just reducing call center complaints.

(B) Team building is a side effect, not the main objective.

(C) Demonstrating work to senior management is important, but newsletters serve a broader audience​.

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is issued after inspections confirm the building meets life safety, fire protection, and structural integrity standards (Option A).

Why Option A is Correct?

Life safety systems include fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency exits, and structural safety components, which are mandatory for occupancy.

Building codes require that these systems meet regulatory compliance before occupancy is allowed.

IFMA’s Operations & Maintenance competency states that facility managers must ensure safety and regulatory compliance before allowing occupants into a new space.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option B (Potable water systems): While potable water is important, it is not a primary factor for a certificate of occupancy.

Option C (IT/Network systems): IT systems are not a legal requirement for occupancy certification.

The IFMA Risk Management competency states that effective mitigation starts with identifying risks and hazards​.

Option D (Correct): Risk assessment ensures hazards are identified and mitigated before escalation.

Option B (Predictive maintenance) is preventative, but not risk mitigation.

Mitigation focuses on eliminating risks before they impact operations​.

A facility manager must follow the organization’s policy (Option C) to ensure compliance with employment agreements regarding uniforms and stipends.

Why Option C is Correct?

Workplace policies outline reimbursement rules for issued materials.

Ensures consistency in handling employee departures and prevents disputes.

IFMA’s Human Factors Core Competency states that FM professionals must adhere to HR and organizational policies.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Request reimbursement personally): Lacks formal enforcement and can cause disputes.

Option B (Absorb the loss): Not all organizations allow this, and a formal policy must be followed first.

An Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS) is used in facility management to track assets, building performance, and key performance metrics. It:

Integrates real estate, space, maintenance, capital projects, and sustainability data into a single platform.

Provides analytics for performance tracking and long-term facility planning.

Why the other options are incorrect:

(B) Building Automation Systems (BAS) manage HVAC and lighting but do not track overall asset performance.

(C) Building Information Modeling (BIM) focuses on design and construction rather than facility performance.

(D) Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) track maintenance but do not provide comprehensive asset performance metrics​.

The IFMA Leadership and Strategy competency emphasizes the importance of continuous performance management and regular check-ins​.

Option D (Correct): Regular meetings ensure alignment on goals, progress tracking, and timely feedback.

Option A (Clarifying responsibility during hiring) is helpful but does not replace ongoing guidance.

Option B (Employee setting up their own reviews) lacks managerial oversight and structure.

Option C (Hiring a more experienced employee) does not guarantee success without proper direction.

Proactive management through regular communication improves accountability and performance​.

Incremental budgeting (Option B) relies on historical budget data and makes adjustments based on prior financial performance.

Why Option B is Correct?

Incremental budgeting takes previous years’ budgets and applies incremental increases or decreases based on inflation, cost changes, and expected needs.

It is one of the most commonly used methods in facility management, as FM professionals often base budgets on past expenditures and adjust for expected operational costs.

IFMA’s Finance & Business Core Competency highlights historical budget analysis as a key practice in incremental budgeting.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Option A (Activity-based budgeting): This method allocates budget based on specific activities and cost drivers, rather than historical data.

Option C (Revenue-based budgeting): Revenue-based budgeting ties expenses to projected revenue rather than historical spending trends.

A Fixed-Price Contract is the best option for a project with a well-defined scope and schedule because:

It minimizes financial risk by setting a predetermined cost.

The contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, ensuring budget predictability.

Why the other options are incorrect:

(A) Cost-Plus-Fee contracts allow for cost adjustments, increasing financial risk.

(B) Cost-Reimbursable contracts can lead to higher costs with no guarantee of a fixed budget.

(D) Time and Material contracts are used for uncertain scopes and do not provide cost stability​.

An access risk analysis (D) is used to evaluate facility security needs, determine authorization levels, and select appropriate security systems.

Why is this important?

Protects sensitive areas

Ensures compliance with safety protocols

Prevents unauthorized access

Why not other options?

(A) A lock hierarchy protocol is a subset of access control but not a comprehensive risk assessment.

(B) Cyber security focuses on digital threats, not physical access.

(C) A sustainability analysis relates to environmental impact, not security.