As organizations pursue operational excellence and cost optimization, data emerges as perhaps the most powerful asset they’re currently missing. While recent years have witnessed some momentum — both in general resource efficiency trends and in some carbon data management adoption — a key challenge persists: lack of data is a major hurdle in implementing swift operational improvements that drive both cost savings and sustainable outcomes.
The consequences of this go beyond the self-evident, that a lack of trustworthy data makes it impossible to make clear, data-driven decisions. In too many cases, poor quality data or lack of data altogether paralyzes organizations or is even used as an excuse for maintaining inefficient operations. They are reluctant to move forward without foundational data, and building the necessary data framework can seem just as daunting as building the resource management programs that data will inform, so they deliberate, defer, and delay.
The solution to a lack of data is action — starting the recursive process of measurement, analysis, and impact, and repeating it over and over again to build a solid foundation of resource data.
Data is critical for achieving operational efficiency and resource optimization goals. Organizations without advanced data and technology capabilities will be unable to create internal accountability, prioritize high-impact activities, measure progress, or continually evolve their overall approach.
Data is also critical for meeting the ever-increasing regulatory and compliance requirements corporations face. Requirements from governments and expectations from stakeholders to accurately report various types of resource utilization data — energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, carbon emissions, and other utilities — reinforces the urgency to act now.
Even without robust data in place, there are some proven resource optimization strategies any company can immediately pursue with confidence like implementing energy efficiency programs, optimizing utility procurement, or adjusting operational behaviors around resource consumption.
But, long-term, that won't be enough to unlock the full potential of resource cost savings and operational resilience. Companies need to get their data infrastructure in order now so they can take the next step toward turning their resources into results.
Organizations need to concentrate on capturing a comprehensive assessment of their existing resource profile — fully understanding energy, water, waste, telecom, and carbon operations across their portfolio, with sufficient granularity to identify cost-saving opportunities. Initial assessment will likely reveal that a lot of information is missing. There will be elements that have not been captured to-date, or are not as detailed as they need to be, or aren’t currently available to be collected. Again, too often that is used as an excuse for inaction when it is actually a clear indicator of next steps.
Data gaps can be filled in. Our experts are continually bringing together overall market trends and research to serve as proxies to fill in those gaps, as well as ENGIE Impact’s own decades-long repository of carbon, energy, resource, and utility data across various sectors and regions. Comparable facilities — based on industry, square footage, industrial output, country, and other factors — can be plugged into existing data assessments to help build a more robust and complete data picture.
Companies can move forward today, with confidence, to build the robust data infrastructure they need to unlock tomorrow's cost savings and operational advantages.
Having fundamental data infrastructure in place can uncover additional opportunities for enhancement, leading to efficient, data-driven project implementation that delivers measurable ROI. Smart data collection and management breaks down internal silos, brings together stakeholders across facilities and finance teams, and facilitates necessary conversations about resource optimization opportunities.
Without the necessary digital transformation, your resource optimization initiatives will struggle to deliver maximum value. To optimize operations at speed and at scale, data should be integrated into every facet of an organization's resource management strategies. It's the only way for them to drive meaningful progress toward cost reduction, operational resilience, and sustainable outcomes that benefit both the bottom line and the environment.
ENGIE Impact partners with multi-site organizations to master their resource operations and unlock competitive advantages through intelligent, data-driven solutions that reduce costs, strengthen business resilience, and accelerate sustainability outcomes.
Talk to our experts about accelerating your decarbonization strategy.
