perceive as

perceive (someone or something) as (something)

To regard, consider, or think of someone or something as having or exhibiting the characteristics of something. Often used in passive constructions. I know you don't perceive this issue as anything serious, but I'm warning you—it could escalate into a full-blown financial crisis! The thought of being perceived as a loser fills makes me feel worse than actually failing at something.
See also: perceive
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

perceive someone or something as something

to think of someone or something as something or as displaying certain characteristics. I perceive Randy as sort of hotheaded. We all perceive this problem as solvable.
See also: perceive
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • a walking
  • a walking (something)
  • accompanied by
  • accompanied by (someone or something)
  • accompany
  • a ghost at the feast
  • a bird in hand
  • a bird in the hand
  • all right
References in classic literature
But the rams need only cease to suppose that all that happens to them happens solely for the attainment of their sheepish aims; they need only admit that what happens to them may also have purposes beyond their ken, and they will at once perceive a unity and coherence in what happened to the ram that was fattened.
War and Peace
Since individual effort is a finite resource allocated among various responsibilities, people will select those tools they perceive as the easiest to use but will still allow them to complete a given task.
On the other hand, instructors who highly value PBA are more likely to adopt the tool because, even though they might perceive a greater level of difficulty than other instructors, their perception of usefulness will be greater.
Technology choices for leadership classrooms