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The reality is that some of the most important issues we identify start with a simple observation during an inspection. It may be a minor defect, a maintenance issue or something an occupier mentions in passing. These points will not always appear on a dashboard or in a formal report.

Data is very useful for monitoring compliance, tracking performance and identifying trends. What it cannot always provide is the context behind the figures. A report may show that a building is compliant, but it will not necessarily tell you how it is being experienced by the people who use it each day. It may not highlight the early signs of a defect, explain why an occupier is becoming frustrated or identify where a contractor’s performance needs to improve.

This is why regular inspections remain so important. They allow property managers and surveyors to see how a building is working in practice, identify risks early and understand what occupiers need. A relatively minor issue can often be dealt with quickly and at modest cost. If it is missed, it can become a much larger and more expensive problem. Site visits also give us the opportunity to speak directly with occupiers, contractors and facilities teams. Those conversations often provide useful information that would never be included in a report. They help us build a fuller and more accurate picture of the asset.

This first-hand knowledge is also important when advising clients. Recommendations on maintenance, capital expenditure, sustainability improvements and asset enhancement are stronger when they are based on an understanding of the building rather than data alone.

Technology clearly has an important role in modern property management. Digital inspection platforms, mobile reporting and AI-driven analysis can make the process more efficient and support better decisions and at SHW we continue to invest in these areas as the benefits are clear. But technology should support inspections, not replace them. The best property management combines good data with experience, technology with observation and reporting with sound professional judgement.

In this market, we are seeing some portfolios reduce the frequency of inspections, presumably because more information is now available remotely. In my view, that is the wrong approach. Instead, the more data we have, the more important it is that somebody understands what sits behind it. At SHW, regular site visits remain a core part of our management approach: they provide a level of understanding that cannot be replicated from a desk.

Buildings may be becoming more digital, but good property management remains physical. The best way to understand an asset is to get on site, walk the building and see it for yourself.