Creating the real smart in smart environments

There are many digital solution companies that claim to offer smart building solutions, but are they really adding value? Yes, they can create buildings with digital functions, but they are not necessarily linking the technology to relevant use-cases within the user’s journey and therefore, not by design, adding any additional value to the organisation itself.

One of the other challenges with the smart concept is that there are many different technologies and digital applications available. How do organisations know what will have a tangible impact on the way they do business? What smart will bring for one organisation, won’t be for another. 

A smart environment is not just about technology, for example smart devices and sensors that are connected and interact with software systems. An environment is only smart when it is using the data and insight that the technology to make a positive impact in the work process to benefit the users of that environment. Whether it’s an office building where workers become more productive, a university where students and staff can learn and teach more efficiently or a hospital where patients and staff can heal more quickly, the principle is the same

But how do you bring all the technology together to create a demonstrably positive impact on asset and organisational performance and user experience? 

People-centric not tech-centric 

The starting point needs to be the user journey and the mission and needs of the organisation. The second step is determining the impact you want to make in the work process and then how to integrate technology and data to boost the customer experience. The focus is people-centric, not technology-centric.

This is why the ‘W’ questions are critical at the outset of any ‘smart’ project. What value do you want to get? Why do you want a solution? Why do you need a smart building or a certain technology? What is the best way to integrate it? What different processes do you want to optimise? Without asking these questions, the project is about technology for technology’s sake.

At Royal HaskoningDHV, through our Smart and Healthy Environments programme, we add value to the process, whether for new buildings or renovations, by validating the digital functions in line with the user journey, mission and needs of the organisation. Without specifying in this way, you will end up with a very expensive building which is not smart because it adds no additional value to asset or organisational performance or user experience.

Read the full blog to find out how to ensure tangible business benefits from smart environments. 

Read other relevant articles on how to boost business outcomes through Smart Environments.