In episode 408 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, Dr. Kofi Asare and Bradley Hartman discuss the concept of digital twins and their potential impact on the construction industry. They explore various analogies and metaphors to explain what digital twins are and how they differ from other technologies like BIM. They also discuss the promise of digital twins in terms of predictive capabilities and cost savings, as well as the challenges and costs associated with implementing them. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the different levels of digital twins, from basic models to autonomous systems. Dr. Asare emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to implementing digital twins and cautions against using them without a clear use case. He also shares his experiences working with construction leaders and the challenges of driving digital transformation in the industry.

Takeaways

• Digital twins are virtual constructs that describe a physical entity in terms of its context, behavior, or makeup, with bi-directional coordination between the physical and virtual.
• Digital twins have the potential to dramatically simplify and improve the operation and maintenance of the built environment.
• The adoption of digital twins is currently more prevalent in large-scale projects, but as costs decrease and technology advances, it is expected to become more widespread, even in residential construction.
• The promise of digital twins lies in their predictive capabilities and potential cost savings, particularly in terms of maintenance.
• The different levels of digital twins range from basic models to autonomous systems that can learn and act on behalf of their users.
• Implementing digital twins requires a systematic approach, focusing on people, processes, and technology.
• Driving digital transformation in the construction industry requires overcoming resistance to change and demonstrating the value of technology.

Chapters

00:00 Digital Twin Game Show Analogy
02:36 The Marketing Disaster That Is Digital Twins
09:35 The Promise of Digital Twins in Construction
11:58 Challenges and Costs of Implementing Digital Twins
21:26 Exploring the Levels of Digital Twins
36:17 Dr. Kofi’s Sports Journalism Career
44:44 Key Considerations for Implementing Digital Twins

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