The ASSESS Initiative

Read about the plans for ASSESS in 2025

What is ASSESS?

The NAFEMS ASSESS Initiative is a think tank that brings together thought leaders and visionaries from industry, government, and academia with the sole purpose of addressing the challenges and shaping the future of engineering simulation—capturing its untapped potential to deliver greater business impact.

Originally launched in 2015, the ASSESS Initiative was created in response to the growing recognition that simulation holds massive, unrealised potential—not limited by technology, but by adoption barriers, lack of executive sponsorship, organisational silos, and fragmented strategies.

At its core, ASSESS is about shaping the future of simulation: a future where simulation is no longer a niche activity for a select few experts, but a strategic capability embedded throughout the engineering lifecycle, accessible to a broader range of users, and driving stronger business outcomes.

ASSESS in Action

Each year the ASSESS Initiative identifies a set of themes which provides the direction for the initiative. The annual ASSESS Summit provides a rallying point for the initiative where progress is reviewed and next steps identified. Have your say on the projects the ASSESS Initiative will tackle as we build towards the 2026 summit here.

The Need for ASSESS

The need to innovate, develop and get new products faster to market along with higher expectations of reliability and sustainability is putting greater pressure on companies. Digital Transformation is playing a critical role in helping companies become more competitive and staying ahead. However, for industry, not having Engineering Simulation as part of their Digital Transformation strategy is only a partial strategy. The business impact of simulation remains largely unrealized. As products and systems grow more complex and integrated, it is more critical than ever to ensure that engineering simulation stays ahead—meeting challenges and influencing business decisions.

Since becoming part of NAFEMS in 2022, ASSESS has expanded its influence and sharpened its mission:

To advocate for the widespread democratization, integration, and business impact of simulation.

To connect industry leaders, tool providers, and academic researchers to shape the path forward.

To influence policy, standards, and strategic direction for simulation in the digital engineering era, including providing a common definition of a Digital Twin and Digital Thread.

Why Be Part of ASSESS?

Whether you’re in engineering executive, software provider, researcher, or thought leader, the ASSESS community provides a unique platform to:

Collaborate across industries to shape the future direction of simulation.

Access and contribute to themes on current key topics:digital twins, democratizations, credibility, integration, certification and business.

Influence change by contributing to business impact projects related to the themes in growing areas.

Engage with other leaders who are confronting the same challenges of adoption, scale, and integration.

Being part of ASSESS means aligning with a movement that’s transforming simulation into a core pillar of innovation and business value.