We often hear about data being “the new oil.” But in our experience, asset data isn’t just a valuable resource—it’s the foundation for smarter, more sustainable projects. Data describing your physical asset, when properly structured and shared, has the power to streamline workflows, improve coordination, and ultimately transform how we design, build, and maintain infrastructure. Would data describing physical assets become digital assets in their own right?
Here’s a look at how organised asset data is reshaping our industry.
The challenge of “data dialects” across teams
One of the greatest challenges encountered in complex Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) and plant projects is the disconnect between different teams—especially asset and project managers. These teams may be working toward the same goals, but they often operate in different “data dialects,” each with unique terminology, software preferences, and organisational structures. This lack of a common language can create unnecessary friction, leading to delays, miscommunication, and, sometimes, costly errors!
Aligning these diverse teams requires a framework. A shared language that everyone can understand and trust. This is where industry standards come into play.
Why do ISO standards matter?
In our work with AEC projects, we rely on ISO standards like ISO 55000 and ISO 19650. Both standards are aligned with the broader quality management system (ISO 9001), but each one addresses a specific aspect of the physical asset operational performance:
ISO 55000 lays the groundwork with high-level principles for asset management, helping teams understand the broader benefits of organised data. Meanwhile, ISO 19650 is much more specific—it guides how information should be managed in construction projects, from defining responsibilities to establishing timelines and exchange requirements for data sharing. These standards act as a bridge, making it easier for teams to collaborate across organisational boundaries.
From “data tsunami” to “data origami”—How to get insights by “unfolding” asset data
For asset managers, one of the most exciting new concepts is something we coined “data origami.” Imagine each piece of data organised like a multi-faceted cube, where every side represents a different aspect—function, location, product type, and more. Inspired by ISO 81346, this approach provides a more holistic view, allowing teams to see a piece of data from multiple perspectives once the multiple aspects of data have been “unfolded” by referencing all data sources referring to the same concept. This clarity and depth of understanding are exactly what’s needed for complex AEC projects, where decisions are made based on vast and varied datasets and points of view.
By structuring data in this way, we’re not just creating tidy records; We’re enabling insights that can guide both present and future decisions. This “data origami” approach transforms the way asset managers approach data organisation, making it less about storage and more about strategic insight.
Translating data into actionable insights with AI and ontologies
As AI technology is booming, we’re beginning to see its potential to unlock deeper insights from well-organised asset data. But there’s a catch: symbolic, or logical, AI needs a structured, context-rich dataset to be effective. This is where ontologies come into play—essentially, these are dictionaries and frameworks that help AI understand not just the data itself, but the relationships between different pieces of information.
Think of it like cooking. A recipe doesn’t just list ingredients; it tells you how they interact to create the final dish. Similarly, with structured data and ontologies, AI can help us predict equipment failures before they happen, optimise maintenance schedules, and even drive sustainability by enabling better decision-making from day one.
A hub for asset data
At Eurostep, we develop ShareAspace as a solution to implement these principles. ShareAspace is a central hub where asset information can be stored, managed, and shared across teams and systems. Built on open standards, it’s compatible with a wide range of tools, ensuring that data isn’t locked away in isolated systems. ShareAspace enables real-time collaboration and version control, helping teams work together smoothly and efficiently.
For AEC and plant projects, this kind of integration is essential. By federating existing data sources into a single source of truth, ShareAspace ensures that everyone is working with the latest information, which reduces errors and accelerates project timelines.
Building a legacy with connected data
Looking to the future, we believe that structured asset data will do more than just improve day-to-day project management. It will enable us to design infrastructure that anticipates needs, optimises resources, and even sustains itself. Imagine a world where buildings and infrastructure could communicate what they need, adapting to changing conditions before problems arise.
With the right tools and frameworks in place, we’re not just creating operational data—we’re building a legacy of insight that will shape the future of infrastructure. At Eurostep, we’re proud to be part of this transformation, helping organisations leverage asset data to create smarter, more sustainable projects.
If you’d like to dive deeper into these ideas, sign up to watch the replay of our latest session on mastering asset data. We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learnt!
