Best practices for the use of digital twins

In industry, the use of digital twins is considered an important part of digital transformation. According to a 2020 study by the Fraunhofer Institute, 85% of all companies in the manufacturing industry have developed concepts for digital twins - but only 51% have a coherent strategy.

What can hinder implementation

According to Hexagon, there is no standard definition of the term "digital twin" - the design of the concept varies depending on the company, industry and area of application. For example, some digital twins only include 3D models or documents to be managed. However, much more is needed to derive concrete benefits from the use of digital twins - and not just in the structure of the digital twins themselves. If a few basic rules are observed, risks can be minimized and security improved - which also results in higher profitability due to optimized system control.

Best practice #1: More than just 3D models - integrate context and multiple data sources
During the project phase, companies often limit themselves to simply creating 3D renderings of assets. However, what really matters is data and context, which can help increase efficiency and improve decision-making.

Ideally, companies should focus on providing their decision-makers with quick access to live information with the necessary context. This includes information from 3D models or laser scans, but also the connection to external systems and the enrichment of scans or point clouds of the facilities with geo-tags to mark relevant areas.

Best Practice #2: Carefully design the handover process
A structured, automated asset handover process can save a lot of time and frustration during the operation and maintenance phases. It sometimes takes companies several years to recover lost information after a poor handover process between project phases. Investing in the timely organization and "smartification" of documents can pay massive dividends later on.

Best Practice #3: Connect data streams across the entire lifecycle on a single pane of glass
Next, companies should aim to connect this data with operational data such as information on shift operations, control system performance or operating procedures in a digital backbone. Such a unified data exchange can be surprisingly effective: It enables better decisions by providing the granularity and context that is needed, making it possible to search for all available information about a particular asset.

Best practice #4: Don't underestimate the role of stakeholder management
The focus should not just be on technology and data - stakeholder management is also crucial. The number one reason for failure is often a lack of commitment from key stakeholders, including the people who will collect and use data on a daily basis. This means building a business case that highlights the benefits these stakeholders will derive from the whole process. The shift to an intelligent digital reality depends as much on what happens on the store floor as it does on what is decided in the boardroom.

An excellently implemented use of digital twins brings a multitude of benefits. And this not only includes minimizing errors or improving product safety: The resulting optimized control of systems also has a direct positive impact on profitability.