Portfolio Optimization
Unlock greater value across your portfolio through evidence-led strategies that improve performance, optimize space, reduce carbon and support confident long-term investment decisions.
How we help our clients
Many portfolios have evolved over time in response to changing organizational priorities, leaving buildings and spaces that no longer fully support operational needs, future growth or sustainability ambitions. Organizations are increasingly expected to improve efficiency, reduce carbon, optimize utilization and respond to changing technologies, while continuing to deliver value from existing assets.
As specialist advisors, we help organizations develop portfolio strategies that align operational requirements, investment priorities and long-term organizational objectives. Combining stakeholder engagement, portfolio analytics, strategic planning and multidisciplinary expertise, we identify opportunities to improve performance, optimize space and shape future investment. Our Great Estates Tool provides evidence-led insight into portfolio performance, enabling clients to make confident decisions and develop portfolios that remain adaptable, resilient and fit for the future.
Optimizing portfolio performance
A successful portfolio strategy begins with a shared understanding of organizational objectives, operational requirements and long-term ambitions. Establishing clear priorities at the outset creates a framework for evaluating opportunities and balancing competing stakeholder needs.
We work collaboratively with leadership teams and stakeholders to define strategic objectives, establish design principles and create a clear vision for future portfolio performance. This provides a consistent basis for decision-making throughout the optimization process.
Effective decisions rely on understanding how a portfolio currently performs. Quantitative analysis, qualitative insight and stakeholder feedback reveal how buildings and spaces support operational requirements, where inefficiencies exist and where opportunities for improvement can be realised.
Using our Great Estates Toolkit alongside detailed portfolio analysis, we benchmark existing performance and establish the evidence needed to inform future investment. This creates a robust foundation for identifying priorities and measuring long-term success.
Portfolio optimization requires different scenarios to be explored before investment decisions are made. Testing alternative approaches allows organizations to compare options, understand implications and identify the strategy that delivers the greatest overall value.
We evaluate a range of development scenarios, considering operational requirements, capital investment, repurposing opportunities, decarbonization priorities and future flexibility. This enables organizations to make informed decisions with greater confidence and reduced risk.
A preferred strategy must be practical, deliverable and capable of adapting as organizational priorities evolve. Considering implementation early helps maintain momentum while reducing uncertainty during future delivery.
We develop phased implementation strategies that align portfolio priorities with capital programmes, operational requirements and wider organizational objectives. This creates a realistic pathway for delivering change while maintaining business continuity.
Decarbonization is most effective when it forms part of an integrated portfolio strategy rather than a standalone initiative. Considering carbon alongside operational performance, utilization and investment enables organizations to maximize long-term value.
We help clients identify opportunities to right-size, optimize and decarbonize portfolios through coordinated strategic planning. By balancing carbon reduction with operational efficiency, financial performance and future resilience, we support practical pathways towards lower-carbon portfolios.
Portfolio optimization is about creating a portfolio that continues to perform as organizational needs evolve. Long-term success depends on establishing a strategy that remains flexible, evidence-led and responsive to future change.
We help organizations make informed decisions that improve portfolio performance, strengthen resilience and maximize the value of future investment. The result is a portfolio that is better aligned with organizational priorities, operational performance and long-term sustainability objectives.
A living, interactive strategy lab for your real estate portfolio
Our Great Estates Toolkit is a strategic planning tool designed for organizations managing a large and complex portfolio. At its core, it is a real estate optimization tool, supporting clients with multiple buildings to make informed decisions about how to maintain, consolidate, and evolve their portfolios over time. Each client receives a tailored version of the tool to allow them to independently manage their portfolio strategy.
Optimizing Portfolios
Our team of multidisciplinary experts have developed a holistic framework which explores interconnected campus layers; a framework that is agile, phased and deliverable; an approach that delivers a route to Net Zero Carbon, supports business needs while creating distinctive and enjoyable campus environments for all.
Strategic solutions
Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal
Our full interdisciplinary contract for client advisory services is helping shape the long-term restoration strategy for the Palace of Westminster, safeguarding its future while protecting its historic significance.
Newcastle University, Optimization Strategy
The Great Estates Toolkit enabled evidence-led portfolio optimization, supporting Net Zero planning, scenario testing and investment decisions.
Milton Keynes University Hospital
Evidence-led portfolio planning supported business case development, aligning future capacity, infrastructure and long-term investment.
Sheffield Hallam University Masterplan
Strategic portfolio optimization reshaped Sheffield Hallam's campus, improving utilization, unlocking investment and creating long-term value.
University Hospitals Leicester
An integrated portfolio strategy supported portfolio consolidation, aligning infrastructure, decarbonization and long-term investment priorities.
University of Cambridge, Reshaping Our Estate
An evidence-led portfolio strategy improved asset performance, utilization and long-term value across the University of Cambridge's estate.
Speak to our experts
Sue Emms, Education Portfolio Optimization Advisor
Sue is an Architect Principal and Global Head of Education for BDP, having designed and delivered some of our most innovative and award-winning education projects.
She specializes in leading university masterplans which incorporate portfolio optimization and decarbonization strategies. Sue's experience of leading teams and external groups through complex processes has been fundamental to achieving stakeholder consensus for clients.
Sue is involved with several universities as both a designer and client-side project board member. This provides a unique insight into higher-education design and delivery management, processes and priorities which is a key advantage when developing portfolio optimization strategies.
During Sue’s 20 years at BDP she has worked on a wide range of projects from conversions of listed buildings to large masterplanning schemes for universities and city centres across the globe. Clients include McMaster, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool, Warwick, Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Universities.
Sue has an unwavering commitment to design quality and understands that dialogue is critical to building trust with clients and their stakeholders.
Max Martin, Healthcare Portfolio Optimization Advisor
Max is an Architect Principal with over 20 years’ experience advising healthcare clients on portfolio strategy, optimization and transformation. His experience spans strategic portfolio masterplans, complex hospital environments and specialist healthcare facilities.
He specializes in helping healthcare organizations align clinical priorities, operational requirements and investment decisions to optimize portfolio performance and support future service needs. His experience leading complex projects and stakeholder engagement enables him to develop practical strategies for evolving healthcare portfolios.
Max brings extensive knowledge of healthcare portfolio planning, NHS processes and international healthcare projects across North America, Asia and Europe. He combines strategic insight, operational understanding and design expertise to help clients make informed decisions about the future of their portfolios.
Further Reading
Asset Optimization
Maximize asset value through lifecycle insight, targeted investment and strategies that improve performance and support confident decisions.