Digital Twins for Construction Project Management (DT-CPM): Applications and Future Research Directions

This article explores the underutilised potential of Digital Twins (DTs) beyond their predominant application in facility management, focusing on their promising role in enhancing efficiency across various phases of construction projects. Enabling smooth data transfer between virtual and physical environments, DTs hold considerable potential for enhancing project planning and control, safety and quality management, in addition to procurement and resource management through the construction stage. Positioned at the peak of inflated expectations in the innovation hype cycle, a comprehensive review of the DT concept is required to provide valuable insights for both practitioners and academicians. Furthermore, the study employs a PRISMA based systematic literature review methodology to analyse existing research and identify gaps in the literature. This paper uses the PMI-PMBOK framework to delineate potential applications of DTs in Construction Project Management (DT-CPM) across different categories. The key findings of the study include a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of DT-CPM, along with an exploration of current challenges and future research directions. This study benefits practitioners by providing insights into leveraging DTs for improved project management practices and academicians by identifying areas for further research and exploration within the DT domain.