Smart assets, smarter decisions
Last week, Anmut attended the Institute of Asset Management’s Global Conference 2025, where the central theme focused on improving outcomes across the asset management industry, particularly through value-based thinking and data-led decision intelligence.
A recurring discussion throughout the event was the growing recognition that data must be treated as a strategic asset to enable informed, effective decisions across the full lifecycle of physical assets.
Below are some of the hot topics and key takeaways we observed, spanning decision-making, value creation, challenges across the board, and the role of data and AI in asset management:
Decision making and value-creation
From customer-centricity and value creation to data-driven decision-making and risk management, speakers highlighted the shifts required to align asset strategies with long-term, stakeholder-focused outcomes.
- Customer-centricity is reshaping asset value
The industry is placing increasing emphasis on customer-centric approaches, moving away from traditional infrastructure-focused models. This shift is prompting a re-evaluation of how value from assets is created, delivered, and measured.
- Parallels between asset and data management
A strong parallel was drawn between the asset and data industries. Both are experiencing a transition from focusing on technical infrastructure to prioritising stakeholder value as the core driver of decision-making.
- Data as a foundation for decision-making
The need for better data and data-driven decision-making was a recurring theme. Speakers emphasised moving away from perfection-seeking behaviours that can stall progress, and instead advocated for making timely, informed decisions using the best available data.
- Focus on actionable data, not perfect data
There was broad recognition of the importance of working with the data you have, even if it’s not perfect. Contributors highlighted the need to balance improving data quality while ensuring it remains practical for real-world application. As one speaker said: “If our data is perfect, we’ve probably bankrupted ourselves in the process.”
- Bridging the gap between technical and business teams
Organisations continue to face challenges in aligning technical teams with business teams. This calls for investment in shared frameworks that help translate complex data and technical insights into clear business value.
- Simplifying value frameworks for greater impact
Effective value frameworks must be simple, aligned with organisational outcomes, and capable of supporting cross-sector decision-making. Complexity can hinder adoption and action.
- Risk management must be intelligence-led
Discussions highlighted the need for more intelligence-driven decisions to risk management, across all three lines of defence. It was noted that risk decisions are often overly influenced by emotion rather than data and analytics.
- Long-term thinking requires leadership mindset shifts
To support long-term asset management, leaders must shift from short-term performance goals to a mindset that prioritises long-term value. This also requires improved methods for quantifying value over time.
The Infrastructure Gap
Sustainable asset management was another prominent theme, with a clear call to shift from short-term fixes to long-term, data-informed strategies. Discussions underscored the importance of preventative investment and the role of data in guiding more effective, future-focused decisions.
- A lack of long-term planning undermines sustainability A recurring concern was that many projects are commissioned without adequate consideration for long-term operational needs. This contributes to unsustainable “feast or famine” funding cycles that hinder consistent asset performance and planning.
- Investing in existing infrastructure delivers greater returns
A statistic derived from the UN highlights that every $1 invested in existing infrastructure can save $1.50 in future costs. This underscores the value of preventative action over reactive remediation; a principle that also holds true in data management.
- Data is essential for targeted, effective investment
Looking ahead, data will play a critical role in helping asset managers prioritise and direct investment towards the most impactful activities, ensuring better long-term outcomes.
Challenges in the boardroom
Board-level decision-making presents a key challenge. Asset managers are being called to better articulate their value in terms that resonate with senior leadership and long-term strategic priorities.
- Reframing solutions around the needs of your stakeholders
Asset centric organisations need to start with the end in mind – by understanding who their stakeholders are, and what it is they value from the design, build and operation of the assets. Having a programmatic approach to identifying and then managing the trade-offs between performance, risk, costs and time, is essential to taking trusted and transparent decisions. - Boardroom influence remains a key challenge for asset managers
Many discussions centred on the difficulty asset managers face in gaining traction at the board level. A recurring theme was the struggle to effectively communicate asset value in a way that resonates with growth-focused leadership. - Clear value communication and long-term thinking are essential
Strengthening boardroom influence will require asset managers to clearly articulate the value of their work and align it with long-term organisational goals, moving beyond short-term operational narratives. - Investing in existing infrastructure delivers greater returns
A statistic derived from the UN highlights that every $1 invested in existing infrastructure can save $1.50 in future costs. This underscores the value of preventative action over reactive remediation; a principle that also holds true in data management.
Data & AI
Technology, data, and innovation were at the forefront of many conversations, with an emphasis on how digital tools and frameworks can elevate asset management practices. The asset management industry is moving towards more connected, data-informed approaches.
- Building comprehensive, data-informed asset management frameworks
There was a strong focus on the need to develop holistic frameworks that integrate data effectively into asset management practices to support smarter, more strategic decision-making.
- Blending digital innovation with traditional asset practices
Innovative approaches showcased how digital tools can be integrated with conventional asset management methods to enhance efficiency, visibility, and operational performance.
- AI is redefining asset registers and decision-making
Dubai Municipality presented compelling examples of how integrating AI into asset registers can significantly improve data accuracy and unlock advanced decision-making capabilities.
- Dashboards and mapping tools enhance data storytelling
The effective use of dashboards highlighted the value of spatial visualisations—particularly maps—for communicating asset insights across teams, partners, and stakeholders.
- National Underground Asset Register shows the value of data-sharing
The National Underground Asset Register is emerging as a powerful example of how shared data and consistent frameworks can transform the understanding and management of underground infrastructure.
- Data asset management is building a common organisational language
Case studies such as National Highways (in partnership with Anmut) demonstrated how treating data as an asset helps create a shared language across the organisation. This alignment is essential for focusing attention and generating the intelligence needed for more sustainable, evidence-based decisions.
The conversations at the IAM Global Conference made one thing abundantly clear: the asset management industry stands at a pivotal moment. Organisations that embrace data as a strategic asset—imperfect though it may be—and align their technical capabilities with stakeholder value will lead the transformation ahead.
The shift from infrastructure-focused to intelligence-led thinking isn’t just a trend; it’s becoming a business imperative. Speak to Anmut to find out how Strategic Data Asset Management can help accelerate this shift for your organisation.