From Silos to Synergy: A Serious Game for Cross-Functional Collaboration in Human-Centric Asset Management

Asset Management (AM) is an integrative discipline that relies on expert knowledge from diverse functions to develop holistic and coordinated solutions. However, the necessary division of responsibilities within and across organizations often leads to the formation of silos—isolated departments or teams that hinder communication and collaboration, ultimately undermining AM’s integrative nature. To address this challenge, a Serious Game (SG), From Silos to Synergy, was developed in this work. Guided by a Research through Design approach—where knowledge develops through iterative experimentation and the creation of artifacts—the SG aims to foster reflection on the relational and organizational dimensions of AM, thereby enabling the definition of cross-functional collaboration as a foundation of Human-Centric Asset Management (HuCAM). Grounded in a family finance analogy, the game integrates frameworks from AM, Industry 5.0, and game-based learning, underwent three design iterations, and was tested with 31 master’s students and 119 practitioners. The results indicate that the SG generated two main outcomes. On the one hand, it led to the creation of a Maturity Model for Cross-Functional Collaboration in HuCAM, offering a structured framework to evaluate and guide the transition toward more collaborative and human-centric AM practices. On the other hand, it fostered cultural awareness in cross-functional collaboration by challenging silo thinking and enhancing players’ understanding of the strategic and collaborative dimensions of AM. By promoting long-term value creation and human-centric thinking, From Silos to Synergy provides a practical and engaging pathway for developing the mindset and capabilities needed to tackle the complex, dynamic, and interdependent challenges of sustainability and resilience in modern asset systems.