E x e c u t i v e B r i e f

Digital Twinification for Asset-Centric, Weight Factor-based Activity Models

Digital Twins
Digital Twins are digital representations of physical assets.
In asset management, digital twins can be 3D models of assets with much information “attached” to them. This
information comes from various sources. In the world of Building Information Models (BIM), in addition to 3D models,
this information includes project schedules, costs,
and engineering asset data with the intent to
transform digital twins to “identical” twins, so that a
sustainable BIM model can form the basis for
project and asset lifecycle management.
However, connectivity data of many types of digital
twins is missed, because 3D models do not include
all asset disciplines. That is, the “cardiovascular”
system of any infrastucture, which is the EIT
(Electrical, Instrumentation and
Telecommunication) is typically “BIM-less”. And
so are the lifecycle work steps of the EIT digital
twins, which can be hundreds of thousands
considering the multiple lifecycle phases of each
asset ranging from the front end and detailed engineering to procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, handover,
start up and maintenance.
Example: Consider the firewater systems valves and pipes. Or any utility components and pipes. These may be
represented in BIM 3D models, but the instrument sensors, cabling and signal processing components are not. Also, the
connectivities of all the EIT assets are not included in the BIM. Furthermore, the detailed work steps involved for each
asset lifecycle, may part of different departmental silos of information.
Asset “Twinification”
Asset “Twinification” is about creating digital twins this enriching digital twins’ information with relationship
(connectivity) and project work steps information. The resulting model is an integrated asset and activity model that
provides asset information for all disciplines (Piping, Structural, Mechanical and EIT) and for their related project
activities. Each tag in the model has activity - work steps for each asset lifecycle phase and
these activities are generated and managed in activity management portals for engineering,
procurement, construction, completions, handover and maintenance/operations. This way,
you can track any digital twin status and information, by applying the embedded Deming’s
Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology, so that everyone can see, from anywhere, all
information about who did what, when and how, under a sustainable governance Stelios Kentritas is a Chemical
Engineer with an MSc degree from
framework that incudes change management. This is called asset-centric, weight factor- Rutgers University.
based project activity management. Furthermore, it provides progress calculations which in Stelios’ subject matter expertise
spans over such areas as Advanced
essence provides stakeholders with significant KPIs like progress of work classes or work Analytics, Business Intelligence and
packages during any phase of the project and asset lifecycles, so that project teams can Data Mining, Business Process
Modeling, GIS and Facilities
collaborate more effectively. Management, MegaProject
Last but not least, asset and related activity costs can be attached in the model, thus Lifecycle Management, MES/MOM
and Advanced Process Solutions.
providing a transparent and accurate way to determine progress payments based on earned Stelios has extensive experience in
the development of collaborative
value.
megaproject lifecycle management
This way, stakeholders can immediately have knowledge of progress, cost and quality KPIs solutions and asset-centric, weight
for planned or ad hoc asset and project work classes and work packages during engineering, factor-based
systems.
progress reporting

procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, handover, start up and maintenance.