Does a knowledge gap contribute to the performance gap? Interviews with building operators to identify how data-driven insights are interpreted

•Building energy performance is negatively impacted by suboptimal operations.•Data-driven operations analytics may aid an operator’s decision-making processes.•Insights were derived using data from interviewees’ individual building portfolio.•Operators were hesitant in addressing deficiencies, specifically controls changes.•Possible barriers to effective utilization of data-driven insights were identified.