Technological change may see emerging markets leapfrog the mature markets. There are numerous examples of jurisdictions — such as India, Egypt and Malaysia — that, unencumbered by legacy assets and outdated regulation, are rapidly moving forward with the adoption of new technologies.

This will be a year of data-driven enlightenment for the infrastructure sector. It is the year when data and analytics mature in the sector; it is the year when evidence-based decision-making starts to become commonplace; it is the year when all organizations begin to uncover new insights that lead to new opportunities and — ultimately — important choices.

Governments and infrastructure authorities are starting to recognize the true value of their data in driving insights, operational performance and broader innovation. This year, we expect to see adoption spread — across sectors, ecosystems and life cycles. There is also an ongoing shift toward more evidence-based planning and p