Connecting around Digital Twin

Last week I attended the Smart Cities Council’s Australia / NZ Digital Twin Week.

And as I listened and engaged, learnt and wondered, I’ve roller-coasted through intrigue, imposter syndrome, head-nodding and straight-up blank face.

I have listened to the most incredibly smart, technical and experienced specialists doing some amazing things with Digital Twin.

And on more than one occasion, I found myself thinking: what can I – someone reasonably new to the infrastructure industry and with a non-technical background – possibly have to contribute to this complex conversation?

Well it turns out, there is something. There were snippets of conversation that reminded me exactly why I’m sitting in my seat today, and what excites me about being part of the digital twin conversation.

Adam Beck, Executive Director of Smart Cities Council ANZ and host of Digital Twin Week, highlighted that the most common identified challenge to Digital Twin momentum was the ability to communicate the value that it brings.

Another comment from one digital twin project summed it up: “We’ve spent a lot of money and built this incredible Digital Twin space... but only 56 people have downloaded the app. We’ve been told we need to get better at comms.”

It's common that our incredibly smart people are so busy solving the problem, that we forget what a massive mission it is to bring everyone along on the journey. And with Digital Twins, we absolutely need to invest in communication and collaboration to help the data and technology benefits be truly realised. Because no one single discipline or team or even organisation can own it. It comes to life by making connections and joining the dots across teams, sectors, companies along the value chain - and a diverse range of stakeholders.

Indeed, there are more than a few pressing barriers that stop us progressing forward with Digital Twin as an industry:

Standardisation. How (and when) does the industry come together and settle on standards for data and technology to come together in a way that integrates and communicates with each other for the better of the infrastructure industry, and for taxpayers dollars?

Ownership. Who owns the data, insights and end-deliverables? How do we make sure all the work put into one area doesn’t go and hide in a deep dark archive file forever more?

Budgets. Why should XYZ project pay for the benefit of everyone else, when that specific project doesn’t NEED it for the job to be done. How can we structure budgets so as to gain more value from project-by-project delivery, rather than wait for 'the digital twin project' to come along?

These are not small barriers – and there are many more of them! The talented voices in the industry haven't yet solved them. But the fact that conversations are happening in an open and collaborative way is a very positive step towards a more digitally transformed infrastructure industry.

We're in the midst of understanding how all the pieces of the puzzle can come together. Now we just need the attention and commitment from all parts of the industry – consultant, client, contractor and community alike – to bring those puzzle pieces together effectively and articulate the value that digital innovation like Digital Twin brings.

THAT, I can help with!

ANZ’s Digital Twin Week was a fantastically put together event – not easy for a full week of virtual immersion. If you’re interested in learning more about Digital Twins, and where the thinking is at for infrastructure, I’d highly recommend heading to the Digital Twin Hub for more information.

And please do reach out if you’re interested in becoming part of the conversation. The more on the digital twin bandwagon, the better!