In modern Workplace Experience and Facilities strategy, the definition of "asset" has been evolving and now includes more abstract or spatial concepts.

This goes beyond the traditional understanding of fixed or movable items.  

We’ve looked into what this really means and it’s the basis of how we approach things.

For many organisations now, the spaces we create and manage are not containers for assets; they’re being approached as strategic assets – in other words designated, functional areas within a building that provide measurable value to occupants and the organization through their purpose, usage, and contribution to occupant experience.

So, what does this really mean, what are the characteristics of a strategic asset?

• Geographically Anchored: A fixed location within a floor plan.

• Function-Defined: Designed for a specific use or activity (e.g., socializing, collaboration, wellness).

• Composable: Made up of equipment, technology, design elements, and environmental factors.

• Experience-Driven: Evaluated based on user satisfaction, engagement, and utility—not just occupancy.

• Variable in Format: Can be open or enclosed.

• Tracked and Managed: Using tools like CAFM, IWMS, or smart building platforms.

🏢 But what does this actually mean, give me some examples

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How can strategic assets be operationalised?

• Assign metadata: Location, type (depending on function), size, capacity, equipment.

• Monitor performance: User feedback, occupancy, downtime.

• Include in lifecycle management: Refresh cycles, maintenance

But a question like: ‘is the space actually fit for purpose?’ can only be answered by the occupant of that space, at that specific moment in time, which means assets need to be seen to be as valuable as they really are.

So how can we incentivise the occupants to engage when the official reporting channels suffer from (often very) low usage due to overcomplicated processes?

This is where the human-centric approach to buildings, spaces and assets becomes the key; for example, our platform, Solve, is natively designed to manage strategic assets because we embraced the human-centric design from the outset.  

When we say “human-centric” we are not talking about only about the CRE or the FM or the Workplace professional as the “human” in the “human-centric”, but about all the occupants of a building or a space, everyone who goes in and out, from security, to tenants, to co-workers, delivery people, cleaners, C-suite and so on.

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How does this then work?  By having an app-free interface, it’s accessible from any smartphone, any operating system, so any occupant can provide feedback about a strategic asset, literally in an instant.   Support can be requested, feedback given and issues reported in 3 seconds, no download, no login, and immediate request routing.  The assets remain usable, clean, supported, in other words staying as actual assets, areas of value, and not merely spaces.

By removing barriers and friction from the reporting process and embracing any-ness instead, we enable any and all occupants to become true sensors for their community and provide valuable insights about the strategic assets you manage.

Are you interested in learning more about our “all humans centric” platform Solve? Get in touch with us.

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