Best Practices: Implementing Industrial Digital Twins
Access this research
Access all Industrial Transformation Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report
Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance
Executive Summary
The last two years have seen a large number of organizations announcing digital twin projects for their industrial facilities. The need for digital, remote and resilient operations has been further emphasized by the COVID-19 crisis. In this report, we provide corporate executives and digital twin software buyers at industrial organizations with an overview of the best practices for implementing industrial digital twins. To capture best practice insights, Verdantix conducted in-depth interviews with digital twin experts at technology suppliers, service providers and industrial organizations, as well as surveying 259 senior executives in operations, maintenance, engineering and process safety roles. To achieve success with digital twin projects, our research finds that organizations should develop a blended success programme spanning five core aspects: (1) people, (2) data, (3) hardware, (4) connectivity and (5) security.Success In Digital Twin Projects Relies On Clearly Defining Achievable Objectives
Shiny Ball Syndrome Can Derail Digital Twin Projects
Digital Twin Expectations Should Tango With Current Digital Maturity
Five Dimensions To Consider When Implementing Digital Twins
Success Starts With People And Culture
Implementations Will Fail Without A Robust Data Strategy
Hard Questions On Hardware, Connectivity And Security Must Be Answered
Figure 2. Functionalities Required For Each Digital Twin Sophistication Level
Figure 3. Digital Twin Use Cases Along The Project Life Cycle
Figure 4. Framework For Developing and Implementing A Digital Twin
Figure 5. Solution Recommendations To Five Core Challenges During Implementation Of Digital Twin Projects
About the Authors
Victor Voulgaropoulos
Director, Advisory Services
Victor is a Director in the Verdantix Advisory practice, where he leads pre-deal and growth strategy engagements for private equity firms, software vendors and corporates. Wit...
View Profile
Malavika Tohani
Research Director
Malavika is a Research Director at Verdantix, guiding research that explores how digital technologies and services are reshaping industrial operations to become safer, more ef...
View ProfileOther related content
Industrial firms are under growing pressure to keep assets reliable, efficient, and low-emission – all while navigating workforce gaps, digital transformation, and cost constraints...
Upcoming / 15 December, 2025
As the initial hype around enterprise AI gives way to practical realities, organizations are adopting a more measured and value-driven approach to AI investments. But for those tas...
Upcoming / 03 December, 2025
Asset integrity is key to an effective asset strategy, and new technology is transforming the space. After 30 years of reliance on manual inspections, developments in AI and comput...
Upcoming / 25 November, 2025
Two years ago, talk of a 10% to 15% tariff on the closest US trading partners would have stunned markets – and for good reason. For the past eight decades, the US has been the chie...
23 September, 2025
Our research shows that field service leaders face three critical roadblocks to a superior customer experience: inefficient legacy systems, data silos, and insufficient technolo...
23 October, 2025
Asset management firm TPG has announced plans to acquire GE Vernova’s Proficy software business for $600 million, with closing expected in the first half of 2026. The transaction...
19 September, 2025