Building on Digital Twin: Overcoming Barriers and Unlocking Success in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Digital twins (DTs) link physical and virtual spaces, providing analytical and diagnostic value for built assets. Despite DT’s potential benefits, its adoption in the construction industry is nascent, hindered by underexplored barriers and a lack of practical strategies. This study (1) identified barriers to DT adoption, (2) proposes strategies to spur DT adoption, and (3) prioritizes identified barriers and strategies and assesses the varying perceptions of organizations with different types and sectors on these factors. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review and content analysis, complemented by pilot interviews, to identify and categorize 25 barriers and 23 strategies. A survey questionnaire was distributed to industry professionals, and 91 valid responses were received for analysis. The survey and postsurvey interviews helped prioritize these barriers and strategies and assess different construction organizations’ perceptions of DT adoption. Additionally, two case studies were conducted to gain deeper insights into DT’s real-world applications, barriers, and strategies. This study enriches the knowledge base by identifying and assessing the barriers and strategies for DT adoption and provides construction practitioners with actionable guidance for adopting DT. This study presents five key insights for implementing digital twins in the construction industry. First, it identified 25 barriers and 23 strategies for DT adoption. Practitioners should pay attention to the top barriers, such as cost pressures, lack of models and data, and uncertain economic returns, while prioritizing effective strategies such as senior management support, clear objectives and expected outcomes from clients, and financial subsidies. Second, facility management (FM) and architect organizations face more challenges in adopting DT, so their needs should be prioritized when applying strategies. Third, the private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises, encounters greater challenges in DT adoption than the public sector due to limited IT infrastructure. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is recommended to overcome this challenge. Fourth, senior management plays a crucial role in creating a DT-friendly environment by training DT-competent employees and shifting conservative organizational cultures. The study presents two real-life examples of successful DT adoption in construction, providing valuable insights for practitioners.