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 1. Factors Holding Back Investment In Digital Twin Projects  
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

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

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 Profile

Other related content

Webinar
Industrial Transformation Leaders
Asset Maintenance Software
Field Services Management
Industrial Analytics & Data Management
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
Sustainable Supply Chains
Corporate Risk Leaders
Enterprise Risk & GRC
Corporate Energy Leaders
Digital Transformation Leaders
The Industrial Agility Imperative: Tech...

Industrial firms around the world are being hammered by operational dislocations and disruptions. Labour shortages, supply chain chokepoints, fast-changing import tariffs, rapid sh...

Upcoming / 25 March, 2026

Blog
Industrial Transformation Leaders
How PSM Buyers Are Rewriting Vendor Pri...

Industrial firms are rethinking their approach to process safety management (PSM) software. The Verdantix global survey of senior professionals reveals how buyers perceive leadin...

05 February, 2026

Blog
Industrial Transformation Leaders
Industrial Transformation Trends That W...

As firms move into 2026, industrial technology carries real momentum against a backdrop of supply chain uncertainty and geopolitical noise. This landscape has made industrial agili...

05 February, 2026

Blog
Industrial Transformation Leaders
Verdantix 2026 Global Industrial Transf...

In December 2025, Verdantix published its annual industrial transformation survey. Against a backdrop of persistent cost pressures, workforce constraints and rising expectations ...

02 February, 2026

Podcast
Corporate Sustainability Leaders
ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software
Sustainable Supply Chains
Enterprise Risk & GRC
Corporate Risk Leaders
Industrial Transformation Leaders
Hidden In Plain Sight: Why Proving Orig...

Episode 30 Global supply chains are under immense stress. Whether it’s a case of sanctioned goods and impure materials or unethical labour practices, the potential for hidden ri...

27 January, 2026

Webinar
Industrial Transformation Leaders
Asset Maintenance Software
Field Services Management
Industrial Analytics & Data Management
The Industrial Skills Gap: Five Technol...

Labour shortages have become one of the most significant constraints facing industrial and manufacturing firms today. Attrition, an ageing workforce and growing skills requirements...

Upcoming / 18 February, 2026