The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) recently released the Snow & Ice Management Standard Glossary of Terms. Provided free of charge to anyone at www.sima.org/glossary, the glossary consists of over 120 key terms used in the procuring, selling, planning, implementing, and legal defense of professional snow & ice management services in North America.

“The glossary project began after advanced discussions with facility management professionals and snow contractors during the SIMA Think Tank event in September 2014, when it became clear that both parties needed more tools for RFPs and contracts," says Brian Birch, SIMA Chief Operating Officer. “The glossary strives to create common ground with industry-wide consistency in key terms tied to snow contracts, snow service, and RFPs. We hope this leads to more clarity in service expectations and quality communication between insurance providers, facilities management professionals, and snow contractors,” says Birch.

As a non-profit trade association, SIMA values creating standards that are easily accessed, adopted and shared, and managed and improved over time. The glossary was created with the following in mind:

Open Access: The glossary is available to all industry stakeholders, regardless of whether they are members of the SIMA.

Comprehensive: Terms were reviewed by more than 25 industry stakeholders and experts in facilities management, snow management, and insurance.

Education: SIMA is spearheading training to help all parties adopt the critical terms that shape the challenges in the industry.

Transparency & Quality: The glossary is governed transparently with policy guidelines, and any stakeholder can recommend edits, additions, or deletions at any time. 

SIMA will consistently monitor and update the glossary as a working body of knowledge, as further feedback will consistently refine and improve the terms. The next phase of the project includes delivery improvements, with plans for an integrated web resource that enables people to find the terms they need, link to other related terms, and get access to more critical information on key items. 

The Glossary of Terms is available for download now at www.sima.org/glossary.