EDITORIAL: INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT – OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Construction project management has traditionally relied on fragmented tools, linear workflows, and static documentation, often resulting in cost overruns, schedule delays, and suboptimal resource utilisation. The emergence of Digital Twin (DT) technology, coupled with advances in Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), presents a transformative opportunity to reimagine how civil engineering projects are planned, executed, monitored, and maintained throughout their lifecycle. This editorial scope examines the integration of DT technology into construction project management, highlighting its capacity to enable real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making. While the convergence of these technologies offers substantial benefits, including enhanced collaboration, risk mitigation, and lifecycle performance optimisation, significant challenges persist in areas such as interoperability, data security, workforce readiness, and implementation cost. This paper discusses the current state of adoption, identifies critical barriers, and proposes strategic pathways to accelerate the meaningful integration of DT-driven project management frameworks in the civil engineering sector