Why Early Adaptation of a Digital Twin Strategy is Necessary for Any Building Project

Why Early Adaptation of Digital Twin is Necessary for Any Building Project

In the realm of construction and infrastructure management, one innovation stands head and shoulders above the rest: the Digital Twin. This digital replica of your building is not just a fancy piece of tech – it's an indispensable tool that can revolutionise how you manage and operate your assets. But to truly harness its power, it's crucial to incorporate your Digital Twin strategy right from the design phase. Here's why.

The Time Is Now

Traditionally, many project managers have left implementing a Digital Twin until the project is nearing completion – often close to handover. However, this approach can lead to increased complexity and inflated costs. By incorporating your Digital Twin strategy from the get-go, you can streamline the process, saving time and money. It's not just about being proactive – it's about being smart.

Designing with Intent

A Digital Twin isn't merely a virtual mirror of your physical asset. It's a strategic tool designed to monitor specific aspects of your building's performance. For example, if you're interested in tracking energy usage by room or floor, you must ensure that the right metering is in place and the suitable sensors are installed in the correct locations. This level of detail requires meticulous planning from the outset to avoid costly modifications.

The Ripple Effect

The decisions you make during the design phase profoundly impact how your building is constructed and, ultimately, how it operates. For instance, if you choose to monitor air quality, you might need to install specific sensors during construction, affecting other aspects of the build like electrical wiring or HVAC systems. An early adoption of your Digital Twin strategy allows you to make informed decisions that enhance your building's long-term performance.

Integrate Your Digital Twin Strategy with Your Building Data Strategy

The more data your Digital Twin has the more powerful it can become, however, having to retrospectively add data that wasn’t considered during the design and build phase can add an unnecessary extra workload or worse still, if the data is left incomplete reduce the effectiveness of your Digital Twin.  Therefore, considering your Digital Twin's data requirements while building your EIR/AIR will reduce the resources required at launch and its potential impact on your building performance.

A Long-Term Investment

Implementing a Digital Twin strategy from the start isn't just beneficial for the construction phase; it's a long-term investment in the performance of your building. With a Digital Twin, asset owners can monitor and manage their building more effectively, leading to increased efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and improved occupant comfort. It's not just about building better – it's about building smarter.

In conclusion, integrating a Digital Twin strategy during the design phase of a building project isn't just a recommendation; it's a necessity. The earlier you adopt this strategy, the better equipped you'll be to optimise your project's efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall project management. When incorporating Digital Twins in your next building project, remember the early bird catches the worm.