{"id":151822,"date":"2025-06-11T09:12:19","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T08:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=151822"},"modified":"2025-06-10T13:16:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T12:16:22","slug":"how-to-implement-a-successful-digital-twin-for-the-aeco-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/digital-construction-news\/bim-news\/how-to-implement-a-successful-digital-twin-for-the-aeco-industry\/151822\/","title":{"rendered":"How to implement a successful digital twin for the AECO industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Digital twins offer transformative potential for the AECO industry; however, two main problems are hindering their successful delivery: the sector\u2019s disconnected work processes and the disagreement between building owners and AECO professionals over their value, writes Taylor Cupp, vice-president of Hexagon\u2019s Building Solutions<\/h2>\n

When it comes to digital twins, a value perception gap exists within the AECO sector. 65% of building owners recognise the high value of digital twins, compared with just 47% of AEC respondents, according to Hexagon\u2019s Digital Twin Industry Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This disconnect highlights a fundamental challenge. And, despite documented digital twin benefits \u2013 including improved efficiency, better problem-solving tools, reduced risk and 80% of companies reporting a reduction in carbon emissions \u2013 the fragmented nature of building projects presents challenges. These obstacles make it difficult to both initiate the use of digital twins and maintain their successful implementation.<\/p>\n

The following best practices can help ensure success.<\/p>\n

Mandate digital twins for AECO<\/h3>\n

For the AECO industry, it\u2019s the O, or operations, which not only requires a \u2018digital twin\u2019 deliverable but also maintains and utilises it the longest.<\/p>\n

A successful digital twin<\/a> spans the entire asset lifecycle from design through to documentation, bidding, coordination, construction, commissioning and operations.<\/p>\n

However, when digital twins are not implemented correctly, creating them can feel like a nuisance to some teams. After all, digital twins touch so many areas of the project lifecycle and involve numerous stakeholders. At first, inefficiencies and silos are likely to arise.<\/p>\n

Until the end customer, such as a facility manager or building owner, mandates their implementation, digital twins often remain fragmented tools serving only specific teams working on specific segments of a project. Success begins with a requirement, and with the roadmap outlined next.<\/p>\n

Create a roadmap for implementing digital twins<\/h3>\n

As AECO lags behind other industries in adoption, organisations need a clear roadmap when starting out.<\/p>\n

Roadmaps should ensure teams:<\/p>\n