Body of Knowledge
APPA’s Body of Knowledge (the BOK) is a searchable, digital database that develops, updates, and disseminates the foundational content required by facilities professionals at colleges, universities, schools, museums, and other nonprofit, educational organizations.
In addition to more than 60 chapters of valuable content, you’ll find corresponding shorter abstracts to browse before diving into the full chapter. We’ve also posted short content videos from APPA leaders, faculty members, and subject matter experts on varied topics of interest to educational facilities professionals.
The project is ongoing, and updated sections are posted as soon as they are peer reviewed and approved for publication.
The Body of Knowledge is built on the foundation of the four core competency areas identified by APPA
| Part I General Administration and Management |
Part II Operations and Maintenance |
Part III Energy, Utilities, and Environmental Stewardship |
Part IV Planning, Design, and Construction |
Budget Recharge, Cost Recovery, and Rates
Budgeting Practices and Strategies
Change Management
Communication
Customer Service
Effective Talent Management
Financial Analysis and Control
Leadership
Managing Ethically
Organization
Overview of Accounting Systems
Staff Development
Strategic Role of Human Resources
Strategy and Leadership
The Five Styles of Negotiation
Building Architectural and Structural Systems
Building Control Systems
Building Electrical Systems
Building Fire Protection
Building Interiors
Building Mechanical Systems
Campus Security
Cleaning Operations
Deferred Capital Renewal and Deferred Maintenance
Elevator Systems
Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity
Environmental Health and Safety
Facilities Condition Assessment
Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Fire Prevention on College and University Campuses
From Concept to Reality: The Crucial Role of Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) in HVAC Design
Grounds Maintenance and Operations
Recapitalization Management
Solid Waste and Recycling
Standards and Codes for Educational Facilities Professionals
Work Management
Campus Computerized Control and Monitoring Systems
Campus Utility Systems Master Planning
Central Heating Plants
Cooling Systems and Thermal Energy Storage
Data and Voice Network Infrastructure
Domestic and Fire Protection Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Electrical Distribution Systems
Energy Generation Alternatives
Energy Management and Conservation
Roadmap for Campus Environmental Sustainability
Sanitary Sewers and Stormwater Management Systems
Source Energy
Building Information Modeling
Campus Master Planning
Capital Budgeting
Construction Project Management
Design Management
In-House Design and Construction
Infrastructure Planning
Organization and Management of Capital Projects
Programming
Project Delivery
Real Estate
Renovations
Site Development
Space Planning and Administration
Sustainable Design and Construction
The Building Commissioning Process
Value Management
APPA BOK Videos
The Three-Legged Stool of Project Management, with Mike Carmagnola
Generations in the Workplace, with Jamie Gayer
Managing Ethically, with Lander Medlin
Customer Connections, with Polly Pinney
Emerging Technologies, with John Cook
Embracing Change, with Don Guckert
Additional APPA Resources
