Turn data into dollars: Strategic asset planning that delivers more with less

Enrollment volatility and budget constraints demand smarter approaches to aging academic infrastructure. This session demonstrates a holistic planning methodology that transforms facility decision-making by integrating space utilization data, occupancy analytics, deferred maintenance assessments, and institutional policy with architectural evaluation. Presenters share strategies for expanding project scope beyond single-building analyses to evaluate assets within the complete campus ecosystem. They deliver practical frameworks for pairing early cost modeling with data-driven metrics to prioritize investments, optimize space allocation, and determine build-new-versus-renovate scenarios. Real project case studies illustrate campus-wide space reductions, repurposing strategies, and policy shifts that maximize ROI. Presenters outline communication approaches engaging diverse stakeholders throughout design to build shared transformation vision while identifying high-impact projects supporting student retention and institutional mission alignment.